[chiquitita]

Does anyone know the policy on non-married couples? I haven't spoken to anyone who knows the policy on this. I know they are looking for stability. We are together 7 years and own a home together. I know you are supposed to be married two years, but it doesn't make much sense if singles can adopt. We are going to get married, but we just hadn't gotten around to it. Is it better at this point to get married or to start the process as an unmarried couple?

[TexasJingles]

You might be able to use the common law marriage rule.

The only thing I know for sure is that if you decide to get married BEFORE, then you have to wait 2 more years, depending on what you're looking into (straight adopt, foster-to-adopt, or just foster).

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

[newfostermom]

Hi there...

The private organization we are going through does not care if you are married or not. They have several single foster parents...also my niece and her fiance are wanting to foster.. they live together and have been told that is no problem either.

If you would like information on them.. pm me and I will give you their number.

Good luck,
Tammy =)
Waiting on on first placement... sigh...

[Neomavr1]

We too are an unmarried couple. We will be going thru CPS when we are ready. I talked to a lady there and told her that we were unmarried and that we were NOT planning on being married. She told me that it would not pose a problem. My suggestion to you is to just ask your agency.

[bakerk]

We are a married couple who has previously lived together. We have only been married for 1 year but lived together much longer.

Last week we attended the foster/adoption seminar and were told we would not qualify.

If we hadn't gotten married then it would be okay because we could go to the court house and get a common law marriage certified starting at the date we moved in together.

Now how crazy is that?

Today however I received a response from the DFPS office stating that the time we lived together before we got married can be added to our marriage.

I am glad to have this in writing but I am not counting on it until I see it...

If I was you I would just hold off on getting married until after. Anything out of the ordinary seems to confuse them. Don't do it unless you have to. Perhaps go for teh common law thing and get an instant 7 year credit. You can still have a little ceremony, etc. if you want- just not the traditional marriage license.