24Who can be adopted?

#### 24 Who can be adopted? 24 Who can be adopted? (cf AC Act s 18 (1)) > > (1) An adoption order may be made in relation to a child who— > > > > > (a) was less than 18 years of age on the date on which the application for the order was made, or > > > > > (b) was 18 or more years of age on that date and was cared for by the applicant or applicants for the order. > > > (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (b), a child was cared for if the child— > > > > > (a) has been cared for by the applicant or applicants, or by the applicant and a deceased spouse of the applicant, as his or her or their child prior to reaching the age of 18 years, or > > > > > (b) has, as a ward within the meaning of the [Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987](/view/html/repealed/current/act-1987-054) or a person under the parental responsibility of the Minister administering the [Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-157), been in the care responsibility of the applicant or applicants or of the applicant and a deceased spouse of the applicant. > > > > Note— > > > > Spouse is defined in the Dictionary. > > > (3) (Repealed) > > **s 24:** Am 2006 No 112, Schs 1 \[3\] \[4\], 2 \[3\]; 2008 No 103, Sch 1 \[3\] \[4\].