Domestic Adoption
Domestic adoption is when children who are resident in Ireland are adopted by people who are also resident in Ireland. The nature and effect of Irish adoption orders are that the children become the children of the adopters as if born to them, with all the rights and duties of parents and children in relation to each other.
Irish adoption legislation only allows for the adoption of a child. A child is defined as a person who has not yet reached 18 years of age. It is not possible for a person who is 18 or older to be adopted in Ireland.
Types of domestic adoption
Conditions
Minimum ages
Prospective adopters must be at least 21 years of age.
Upper ages
The law does not lay down upper age limits for prospective adoptive parents. However, age is a significant factor when assessing suitability to adopt.
Residency of adopters
Prospective adoptive parents must be habitually resident in the State.
Residency of the child
The child must be resident in the State.
Religion
If the child, the people adopting, and everyone who needs to consent don't share the same religion, then everyone consenting must be informed of the adoptive parents' religion before they give their approval.
Suitability
The Adoption Authority cannot make an adoption order unless it is satisfied that each of the adopting parents is a suitable person to have parental rights and duties in respect of the child. The adopting parents must hold a valid Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability at the time the adoption order is to be made.
Quick links
Contact details
Domestic Adoption Unit
Adoption Authority of Ireland
Shelbourne House
Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
D04 H6F6
Telephone +353 1 2309 300
Email: domestic@aai.gov.ie