Iowa Adoption Law
Permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
Iowa law permits an unmarried adult or husband and wife jointly to petition to adopt. (IOWA CODE ANN. § 600.4)
Permits a same-sex couple to jointly petition to adopt? No explicit prohibition.
State law provides that a husband and wife may jointly petition to adopt, and does not explicitly provide for joint adoption by other couples. No state court has heard the issue of whether same-sex couples can or can not jointly petition to adopt.
Permits a same-sex partner to petition to adopt partner’s child or child of the relationship? No explicit prohibition.
There is no explicit prohibition, and some lower courts have permitted second-parent adoptions to proceed. No state court, however, has heard the issue of whether a same-sex partner can or can not petition to adopt a partner’s child or child of the relationship.
Details: As of April 27, 2009, Iowa recognizes marriage equality, providing married same-sex couples with equal marriage rights under state law.
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Last Updated: 12/9/2009