Section 41: Adoptive relatives.

Adoption Act 1976 · 1976 c. 36View on legislation.gov.uk

Part IV: Status of Adopted Children

A relationship existing by virtue of section 39 may be referred to as an adoptive relationship, and—

a male adopter may be referred to as the adoptive father;
a female adopter may be referred to as the adoptive mother;
any other relative of any degree under an adoptive relationship may be referred to as an adoptive relative of that degree.

but this section does not prevent the term “parent”, or any other term not qualified by the word “adoptive” being treated as including an adoptive relative.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.