IrelandI want to adopt a child. What are the requirements?
To adopt a child in Ireland, you must be at least 21 years old, ordinarily resident in Ireland for 12 months before applying, and assessed as suitable by the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
What the Law Says
The legal requirements for adoption in Ireland are set out in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. This Act establishes who may apply, eligibility conditions, and the role of the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
You must be at least 21 years of age to apply for an adoption order. There is no upper age limit, but the Adoption Authority will assess whether your age and health make you suitable to parent the child long-term.
You must have been ordinarily resident in Ireland for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before making your application. This applies whether you are applying alone or as part of a couple.
Only one person can be named on an adoption order — meaning single people may adopt, and married or civil partners cannot jointly adopt unless they are spouses in a marriage where one is the biological parent (e.g., step-parent adoption).
All applicants must undergo a full assessment by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (or an approved body), including home studies, interviews, medical reports, and Garda vetting.
Statutory TextA person may not make an application for an adoption order unless the person has attained the age of 21 years and has been ordinarily resident in the State for a period of not less than 12 months immediately before the date of the application.
— Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, s. 43 — Eligibility to apply for adoption order
What to Do
Confirm you meet the age and residency requirements (21+ years old and 12 months’ ordinary residence in Ireland).
Contact the Adoption Authority of Ireland to begin the formal application and assessment process.
Complete all required assessments, including medical, Garda, and social work evaluations.
Attend preparation training and interviews with the Authority or an approved adoption agency.
If approved, proceed to matching, placement, and finalisation of the adoption order through the Circuit Court.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.