Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Adoption Chapter 3  - Placement for Adoption and Adoption Orders Section 50: Adoption by couple
146.Undersection 50 an application for an adoption order by a couple may only be made where both of them have reached the age of 21.  However, where one of the couple is the mother or father of a child to be adopted, an application may be made if that person is 18 or over and the other person is 21 or over.