Can I adopt without being married in Kentucky?

Traditional stepparent adoption requires a legal marriage. However, some states allow second parent adoption for unmarried partners.

Kentucky's position: This varies and can depend on the specific countie and judge. We recommend contacting us to discuss your specific situation.

States where we've completed adoptions for unmarried couples include: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington DC.

If you're planning to marry: You may want to wait until after the wedding to file the adoption, as stepparent adoption has a well-established legal framework in every state.

Call us at (855) 924-0450 to discuss your specific situation. We can advise whether your Kentucky countie has granted adoptions to unmarried partners.