Time off for adoption appointments

The couple chooses who gets the paid right

For a joint adoption, the couple chooses one person as the primary adopter for appointment rights. That person can take paid time off for up to five appointments. The other adopter can take unpaid time off for up to two. A single adopter uses the paid right.

Each appointment can last up to six and a half hours, including travel and waiting. It must be arranged or requested by the adoption agency and take place before the child is placed. The Acas adoption guidance explains the choice and limits.

Check the route before agreeing the time

Foster-to-adopt and some overseas-adoption arrangements have their own timing and evidence. Qualifying agency workers can also have appointment rights after the relevant qualifying period. Surrogacy antenatal appointments are a different entitlement, even though the future family may describe both as appointments before placement or birth.

The elected primary adopter's use of paid adoption-appointment time can affect which partner may later claim paternity leave and pay for the same placement. Confirm the election rather than letting each request be handled in isolation. The GOV.UK adoption-leave guidance sets out the linked rights.

Ask for proportionate evidence

After the request, an employer can ask for a declaration stating the appointment details and purpose, plus evidence from the adoption agency where the rules permit it. Do not ask for case history or sensitive information that is not needed to verify the appointment.

Record the elected role, appointment date, time allowed and whether it is paid. Keep that record with the later adoption-leave decision so the family route stays consistent. Northern Ireland's official adoption guidance confirms the same core split for the main and second adopter.