Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (2026)
Who may adopt
✓ current as of July 2026
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48.82(1)(1) The following persons are eligible to adopt a minor if they are residents of this state:
48.82(1)(a)(a) A husband and wife jointly, or either the husband or wife if the other spouse is a parent of the minor.
48.82(3)(3) When practicable and if requested by the birth parent, the adoptive parents shall be of the same religious faith as the birth parents of the person to be adopted.
48.82(4)(4) No person may be denied the benefits of this subchapter because of a religious belief in the use of spiritual means through prayer for healing.
48.82(5)(5) Although otherwise qualified, no person shall be denied the benefits of this section because the person is deaf, blind or has other physical handicaps.
48.82(6)(6) No otherwise qualified person may be denied the benefits of this subchapter because of his or her race, color, ancestry or national origin.
48.82 AnnotationStanding to object to adoption proceedings turns on the right to petition for adoption; grandparents excluded from petitioning under s. 48.90 (1) (a) had no standing to object to the adoption of their grandchildren. L.P. v. B.G., 177 Wis. 2d 424, 501 N.W.2d 908 (Ct. App. 1993).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1991–2024 · leading case: In Interest of Angel Lace M., 516 N.W.2d 678 (Wis. 1994).
In Interest of Angel Lace M., 516 N.W.2d 678 (Wis. 1994). “Presently, sec. 48.82, Stats., allows adoption only by a single adult, a married couple or the stepparent of the child.”
State v. Dale R. Neumann, 2013 WI 58 (Wis. 2013). “90 creating an elder abuse reporting system "may be construed to mean that a person is abused, financially exploited, neglected or in need of direct or protective services solely because he or she consistently relies upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer for healing…”
David J. Rosecky v. Monica M. Schissel, 2013 WI 66 (Wis. 2013). “41 (voluntary consent to TPR); Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (persons eligible to adopt a minor child); Wis.”
Virginia Wolf v. Scott Walker, 766 F.3d 648 (7th Cir. 2014). “But others are not, such as the right to adopt children jointly, Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1); spousal-support obligations, §§ 765.”
Sporleder v. Hermes, 471 N.W.2d 202 (Wis. 1991). “The applicable language in sec. 48.82, Stats., indicates only that: "The following persons are eligible to adopt a minor if they are residents of this state: (a) A husband and wife jointly, or either the husband or wife if the other spouse is a parent of the minor, (b) An…”
A. M. B. v. Circuit Court for Ashland Cnty., 2024 WI 18 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1)(a)-(b). The statutes do not allow two unmarried adults to jointly adopt a minor.”
Appling v. Doyle, 2013 WI App 3 (Wis. Ct. App. 2012). “Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1). • The surviving spouse of a decedent takes priority over other relatives with respect to the final disposition of the body of the deceased spouse.”
In Re Marriage of Mancine, 965 N.E.2d 592 (Ill. App. Ct. 2012). “See Wis. Stat. Ann. § 48.82 (West 2008). ¶ 4 William was born on August 5, 2008, and his birth certificate reflected the name "William Michael Gansner.”
A. M. B. v. Circuit Court for Ashland Cnty., 2024 WI 18 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1)(a)-(b). The statutes do not allow two unmarried adults to jointly adopt a minor.”
In Re Guardianship of Ogm-K., 2010 WI App 90 (Wis. Ct. App. 2010). “1 Wendy and Liz could not file a joint petition to adopt the children because they were unmarried, see Wis. Stat. § 48.82 , and they could not marry because they are a same-sex couple.”
In Re the Adoption of Baby Z., 700 A.2d 1065 (Conn. Super. Ct. 1996). “” Wis. Stat. Ann. § 48.82 (West 1991). 17 The applicable Massachusetts statute provides: “Situations Where Adoption Authorized.”
In re Marriage of Mancine, 2012 IL App (1st) 111138 (Ill. App. Ct. 2012). “See Wis. Stat. Ann. § 48.82 (West 2008). ¶4 William was born on August 5, 2008, and his birth certificate reflected the name “William Michael Gansner.”
— Wis. Stat. § 48.82(1) — 3 cases
In Interest of Angel Lace M., 516 N.W.2d 678 (Wis. 1994). “Presently, sec. 48.82, Stats., allows adoption only by a single adult, a married couple or the stepparent of the child.”
A. M. B. v. Circuit Court for Ashland Cnty., 2024 WI 18 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1)(a)-(b). The statutes do not allow two unmarried adults to jointly adopt a minor.”
A. M. B. v. Circuit Court for Ashland Cnty., 2024 WI 18 (Wis. 2024). “" Wis. Stat. § 48.82 (1)(a)-(b). The statutes do not allow two unmarried adults to jointly adopt a minor.”
— Wis. Stat. § 48.82(1)(a) — 1 case
In Interest of Angel Lace M., 516 N.W.2d 678 (Wis. 1994). “Presently, sec. 48.82, Stats., allows adoption only by a single adult, a married couple or the stepparent of the child.”
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