Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts12. Who may be adopted
(1) Subject to this Act, the Court may, on application, make an order for the adoption of a child who -
(a) had not attained the age of 18 years before the date on which the application was filed in the Court; or
(b) has been brought up, maintained and educated by the applicant or applicants, or by the applicant and a deceased or estranged spouse of the applicant, as his, her or their child.
(2) The Court shall not make an order for the adoption of a child who is or has been married, is living or has lived in a de facto relationship within the meaning of the De Facto Relationship Act or has entered into a traditional Aboriginal marriage.
(3) An order may be made under this Act for the adoption of a child notwithstanding that the child has, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, and whether in the Territory or elsewhere, previously been adopted.