Single parent adoptions

Single persons may adopt children, although some agencies strongly prefer to place a child with a married couple. Other agencies--particularly those dealing with children who might be hard to place--are willing to place a child with a single person. Single-parent adoptions usually are possible in private adoptions.

As with adoptions sought by a couple, a single person who seeks to adopt a child must be approved by a social service investigator and show that appropriate arrangements have been made for care of the child.