Chalk this up to who knew?

Or maybe you did know?

Earlier this week I had to have documentation provided to me at work regarding a name change. The person simply said that he had changed his name.

However, the documentation was a court decree of adoption, hence the name change. The person was 29 when the adoption happened. This person has no handicap or mental situation where there needs to be supervision or guardianship.

I had no idea an adult could be adopted. Interesting.

dl

I didn't think they could be-guardianship yes but adoption? Makes no sense to me.

He could have been adopted as a baby and just found his biological parent. If this is the case he could have wanted a new birth certificate and would have to be legally adopted by his birth mom. I also think they do it for inheritance purposes. I guess you just don't hear to much about it happening but you can google it and tons of info will appear.

When I was about 16 - I decided I no longer wanted to be known as my (biological fathers) daughter - I no longer wanted to carry his name. I wanted nothing to do with him. My parents had been divorced since I was young. He was someone I wanted nothing to do with. My mother was now remarried and my step-dad spoke with a lawyer about giving me his name - which would require him adopting me. (I knew nothing of this until years later) The glitch was that, because my biological father was still alive, he would be required to give up his parental rights in order for the adoption/name change to happen. My parents decided apparently that it was not worth the 'fight' to make this happen and just let it go.

Perhaps, this person was in a similar predicament and due to a death was now able to have the adoption happen?

katamasmom

I have read cases where one gay parner adopts the other in search of legal protection on issues like legal guardianship and inheritance. This has occured in states where same sex marriage is not an option, and the couple is seeking a legal tie to one another.

This person's father is still alive and the order clearly states (in legal terms) that another man is now his father. No mention of his mother. I don't know the circumstances except he was 29 when it happened, clearly it wasn't for mental/physical limitations, guardianship, etc.

With minors, I know the biological parent must consent. I never gave it a thought that an adult could be adopted. Perhaps it is for heirship. Strange.

dl

Or a newly found (mom admitted to) biological dad

Its not as uncommon as you might think for numerous reasons. Everything from people finding the biological parents, to people as adults finally letting their prefered parent's new spouse to adopt them, all sorts of scenerios. Quite a few orphans or kids who aged out in state sponsered foster care eventually get adopted by one of their foster parents or some other adult they form a bond with. It provides legal and emotional benefits to both parties.

__________________
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I would be pretty weirded out to know a person who I was forced to provide legal papers regarding my personal life was discussing it on a message board. But, perhaps that's just me .....

It's anonymous and I spoke in generalities. You have no idea if I actually changed the person's sex or age. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't.

People do have to prove name changes and that isn't private, it's for verification.

To others, thank you. It's been interesting to read other ideas of why an adult would/could be adopted.

dl