Kentucky Adoption Law
Permits single LGBT individuals to petition to adopt? Yes.
Kentucky law permits any adult who is a resident of the state or a husband and wife jointly to petition to adopt. KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 199.470.
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 adopted child? No.
A same-sex partner cannot adopt his or her partner’s child without terminating the other partner’s parental rights. S.J.L.S. v. T.L.S., 2008 Ky. App. LEXIS 282.
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Last Updated: 12/9/2009