Legally an adoptive parent must be over the age of 21 and can be single or married. Couples who cohabit can apply but only one of the couple may legally adopt the child(ren).
Falkirk Council has agreed the following criteria in order to accept an application to adopt:
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Applicants should live within a 30 mile radius of the Brockville headquarters in Falkirk.
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There should be no more than 45 years of an age difference between the youngest adopter (if married) and the child.
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Married and cohabiting couples must have a well established, stable relationship.
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Many people decide to pursue adoption because they cannot have children of their own. It takes some time to come to terms with infertility and for this reason the Council will not accept applications from people undergoing fertility treatment, or normally for one year after treatment has finished.
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Likewise, the loss of a child through death or miscarriage is a harrowing experience which takes time to come to terms with. We therefore ask people to give themselves at least one year to grieve their loss before applying to adopt or foster.