# N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-03: 14-15-03. Who may adopt

> North Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-03

## Section

- **Citation:** N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-03
- **Heading:** 14-15-03. Who may adopt
- **Jurisdiction:** North Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ND Code / Title 14 / Chapter 14-15 / Section 14-15-03

## Text

14-15-03. Who may adopt

The following individuals may adopt:

1. A husband and wife together although one or both are minors.

2. An unmarried adult.

3. The unmarried father or mother of the individual to be adopted.

4. A married individual without the other spouse joining as a petitioner, if the individual to

be adopted is not the adopting person's spouse, and if:

a. The petitioner is a stepparent of the individual to be adopted and the biological or

legal parent of the individual to be adopted consents;

b. The petitioner and the other spouse are legally separated; or

c. The failure of the other spouse to join in the petition or to consent to the adoption

is excused by the court by reason of prolonged unexplained absence,

unavailability, incapacity, or circumstances constituting an unreasonable

withholding of consent.

## Nearby sections

- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-01 14-15-01. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-01.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-02 14-15-02. Who may be adopted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-02.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-03 14-15-03. Who may adopt](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-03.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-04 14-15-04. Venue - Inconvenient forum - Caption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-04.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-05 14-15-05. Persons required to consent to adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-05.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-06 14-15-06. Individuals as to whom consent not required - Notice of hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-06.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-07 14-15-07. How consent is executed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-07.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-08 14-15-08. Withdrawal of consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-08.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-09 14-15-09. Petition for adoption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-09.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-10 14-15-10. Report of petitioner's expenditures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-10.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-11 14-15-11. Notice of petition - Investigation and hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-11.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-12 14-15-12. Required residence of minor](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-12.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-12.1 14-15-12.1. Health insurance requirements for adoptees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-12.1.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 14-15-13 14-15-13. Appearance - Continuance - Disposition of petition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T14_C14-15_S14-15-03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.