A SOUTHEND woman is campaigning for a change in the law allowing her to be legally adopted by her stepdad of 26 years.

Alana Collins, 27, is petitioning Parliament for “adult adoption” to be legalised and people over the age of 18 can cut ties with their biological parents.

For the last 26 years, Alana has been cared for by her stepdad Paul but is still legally tied to her biological father.

If a change in the law is approved, it would allow adults to legally take the family name of their new parent and be treated as if they are the biological offspring of their step parent.

Alana hopes it will allow her to honour her “true dad” but believes it will also allow people to sever abusive families ties.

Alana said: “I am not in touch with my biological dad, I have been out of contact since 2020, and my mum and biological dad broke up before I was one and she started living with Paul, my stepdad, when I was one-and-a-half.

“There was not a fatherly relationship compared to my stepdad, I have always called him my dad and I tried to get around the situation by changing my surname, I am now at that point where I am in a relationship with marriage on the horizon.

“I want documentation that he is my true dad, it would be an end to that period of my life and an emotional beginning, not him as a stepdad but as my dad.

“He has never let me go, he has seen me as his daughter and he has been the perfect dad, to have that written on paper would mean the world to us.”

Despite lacking any contact with her father, when filling out a recent form, Alana was required to include his name, address and contact information – none of which she knows is accurate.

Alana added that she is also doing this for those escaping abuse, as she “can’t imagine how it feels” to have to recover from traumatic abuse but still be tied to an abuser.

She added: “There are more than a few people who would love this change.”

To sign, visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700114