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Georgia Code Title 19. Domestic Relations § 19-8-3

Current as of March 28, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Any individual may petition to adopt a child if he or she:

(1) Is at least 21 years of age or is married and living with his or her spouse;

(2) Is at least ten years older than the child, except such ten-year requirement shall not apply when the petitioner is a stepparent or relative and the petition is filed pursuant to Code Section 19-8-6 or 19-8-7;

(3)(A) Is a bona fide resident of this state at the filing of the petition for adoption; or

(B) Is a bona fide resident of the receiving state when the adoptee was either born in this state or is a resident of this state at the time of his or her placement for adoption, and was placed in compliance with Chapter 4 of Title 39, relating to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. For purposes of this paragraph, a nonresident of Georgia is deemed to have complied with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children  1 if the compact does not apply as defined in Article VIII of the Compact or if the individual is a resident of another country; and

(4) Is financially, physically, and mentally able to have permanent custody of the child.

(b) If an individual seeking to adopt a child is married, the petition for adoption shall be filed in the name of both spouses; provided, however, that, when the child is or was the stepchild of the party seeking to adopt, such petition shall be filed by the stepparent alone.

1 Ga. Code Ann. §§ 39-4-1 et seq.
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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Georgia Code Title 19. Domestic Relations § 19-8-3 - last updated March 28, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-19-domestic-relations/ga-code-sect-19-8-3/

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