Same-Sex Couples and Child Custody

Vermont was the first U.S. state to grant joint custody of a child to a same-sex couple in 1993.

Adoption is the legal process by which a non-biological parent seeks to establish a legal relationship with a child.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) was the U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

The Best Interests of the Child Principle holds that the best interests of the child should be the primary consideration in determining child custody arrangements.

In Texas, the highest court ruled that a non-biological parent could not adopt a child conceived through artificial insemination.

Termination of Parental Rights is the legal process by which a person voluntarily terminates their parental rights.

Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to adopt children jointly in 2002.

Guardianship is the legal process by which a child is placed in the care of a non-biological parent or guardian.

California was the first U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to foster children in 1999.

Termination of Parental Rights is the legal process by which a child is legally separated from their biological parents.

California was the first U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to adopt children through surrogacy in 2002.

Legitimation is the legal process by which a child is legally recognized as the child of both biological parents.

Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to adopt children from other countries in 2002.

Adoption is the legal process by which a child is legally recognized as the child of a non-biological parent.

Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to allow same-sex couples to have their children listed on their birth certificates as both parents in 2002.