Q: My husband has a Class C misdemeanor, which was placed on his record when he was 18. Will this criminal history prevent us from adopting?
A: Misdemeanors stemming from youthful indiscretions usually aren’t held against prospective adopters in the U.S., although a social worker will want to know if your husband’s past behavior is truly past. If the misdemeanor on your husband’s record was a DUI, for instance, she’ll ask if he went through a rehabilitation program, and what his current drinking habits are.
Increasingly, as many sending countries tighten their adoption guidelines, even a minor misdemeanor may pose a problem. Consult your adoption agency if you’re pursuing an international adoption.
