Each state has its own laws governing adoption and they vary greatly. A joint adoption involves a couple adopting a child from biological parents or the state. In many states, it is unclear whether a same-sex couple would be permitted to file a joint petition to adopt. Second-parent adoptions are available in other states, which allow two people who are not married to co-adopt, as with a step-parent or same-sex couple.
Currently, there are no federal laws allowing same-sex couples to jointly adopt children.
Here's a broad look at how the states stack up:
Joint adoptions allowed for same-sex couples
California
Connecticut
Washington, D.C.
Illinois
Indiana
Maine
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Vermont
Joint adoptions have been performed in some jurisdictions
Nevada
New Hampshire
Second-parent adoption allowed for same-sex couples
California
Colorado
Connecticul
Washington, D.C.
Illinois
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Vermont
Second-parent adoptions have been performed in some jurisdictions
Alabama
Alaska
Deleware
Hawaii
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Oregon
Rhode Island
Texas
Washington
Same-sex couples are prohibited from joint adoptions
Florida
Mississippi
Utah
Arkansas
Michigan
Kentucky
Nebraska
Ohio
Wisconsin
Information courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign.
