Amend the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/2203 (N.I. 22)) as follows.
In Article 2 (interpretation), in the definition of “relative” in paragraph (2), for “affinity” substitute .“ marriage or civil partnership ”
In Article 12 (adoption orders), in paragraph (5), after “married” insert .“ or who is or has been a civil partner ”
In Article 15 (adoption by one person), in paragraph (1)(a), after “is not married” insert .“ or a civil partner ”
In Article 33 (meaning of “protected child”), in paragraph (3)(g), after “marriage” insert .“ or forming a civil partnership ”
In Article 40 (status conferred by adoption), in paragraph (3)(a), after “1984” insert .“ or for the purposes of Schedule 12 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 ”
In Article 54 (disclosure of birth records of adopted children), in paragraph (2)—
In Article 54A (Adoption Contact Register), in paragraph (13)(a), for “or marriage” substitute .“ , marriage or civil partnership ”