Any inhabitant of the Virgin Islands may petition the proper court to adopt a child who is not his own and who is in the Virgin Islands.  If desired, the petition may also ask for a change of the child’s name.  In no case however, may the petition of a person who has a spouse be granted unless the spouse joins therein.  Except where husband and wife adopt jointly, no person shall be adopted by more than one person.  Title 16 V.I.C. § 141. et.seq.

The statutory sections comprising the territorial adoption statute, which use “child” and “person” interchangeably, permit adoption of adults. In re Williams, 14 V.I. 141 (Terr. Ct. St. C. 1977).