adopting within the family
Intrafamily adoption is the adoption of a child who lives in NSW by a step parent or relative.
step parent adoption - where the parent caring for the child (custodial parent) has remarried or established a stable de facto relationship and applies, with their partner, to adopt the child in their care.
relative adoption - where a person defined in the Adoption Act 2000 as a relative (a grandparent, uncle, or aunt of the child, whether the relationship is by birth or marriage) applies to adopt the child in their care.
The NSW Adoption Act 2000 has recently been amended to simplify the adoption process for step-parents or relatives wanting to adopt. This includes removing the need for the direct involvement of Community Services in most cases.
For information on the new application process for Intrafamily adoption, see the following documents:
- fact sheet on Intrafamily adoption
- list of contracted adoption assessors and registered counsellors
- mandatory written information on Intrafamily adoption. Information for parents and adoptive parents
- mandatory written information on Intrafamily adoption. Information for children and young people
- specific consent to adoption of a child form
- revocation of adoption consent form
- consent by a child who has attained the age of 12 years to his or her adoption form
- request form to give notice to the non custodial parent where a child over 12 years is consenting to their own adoption
- statement of counsellor form
