Mark Iverson has provided adoption services to same sex couples in Washington and Idaho for 20 years.  He and his staff are sensitive to issues confronted by same sex couples and are available to offer support and resources to assist in facilitating a second parent adoption.

Second Parent Adoption

What is a second parent adoption?
There is no requirement to be married to adopt a child.  When a partner wishes to adopt the biological or adopted child of the other partner, a second parent adoption is available. The adopting partner becomes a parent to the child with the same legal rights and responsibilities as the partner of the biological (or legal) child. No parental rights are terminated.

When is termination of parental rights necessary?

• Assisted reproduction:
  If the child was conceived through the office of a physician and the biological parent is an unknown donor, it is not necessary to terminate parental rights. A birth certificate is issued by Vital Statistics in Washington after the filing of a physician's certificate.  Adoption may still be necessary.
• Biological parent outside relationship:
  If the child has another biological parent or legal parent outside the relationship, that parent must consent to the adoption.  If that biological parent refuses to sign a consent, it may be necessary to personally serve that biological parent with a petition to terminate parental rights. If that biological parent outside the relationship is unknown notice of the termination may be published in a newspaper.

Home study:
The adopting partner must obtain an approved home study (pre-placement report) to adopt the child. There are home study providers in Washington and Idaho that are supportive of same sex couples and their right to build families through adoption.

Birth certificate:
A new birth certificate is issued showing both partners as parents of the child.  The child's name may also be changed. 

Free consultation:
For more information on second parent adoption please contact us a call at 509-462-3678 or 800-338-8273 or via email at mark@adoptionlegalservices.org