{"id":376562,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-05T10:32:03","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T15:32:03","slug":"texas-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Adoption Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Adoption Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Texas adoption laws help protect the rights of adoptive parents, the birth parents, and the best interests of the child. The laws let any adult adopt any child. Adults can adopt other adults if all parties consent.<\/p>\r\n

Texas passed one of the first laws allowing private adoption agencies to deny adoption to same-sex couples with the Freedom to Serve Children Act<\/a>, signed in 2017. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services permits same-sex adoption.<\/p>\r\n

Texas Adoption Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Texas adoption laws are very parent-friendly. Any adult may adopt, and there is no statutory minimum adoption age. The Department of Family and Protective Services has a minimum age of 21 to become an adoptive or foster parent. Many adoption agencies have a minimum age ranging between 22 to 25 years old for adoptive parents.<\/p>\r\n

Single people are free to adopt if they meet the other requirements. Married couples can adopt as long as both spouses sign the adoption petition<\/a>. This applies to couples who have a legal separation but aren’t divorced.<\/p>\r\n

All prospective adoptive parents must have an adoption home study performed by a licensed child-placing agency. The adoptive family must also undergo a criminal background check.<\/p>\r\n

Prospective adoptive families must also:<\/p>\r\n