v. E.L., 577 U.S. 404 (2016), is a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the adoption rights of same-sex couples.

[1] In 2007, a Georgia Superior Court granted adoption rights to V.L., the partner of E.L., the woman who gave birth to their three children.

petitioned the United States Supreme Court to stay the ruling during her appeal and allow her to see her children.

On December 14, 2015, the Supreme Court stayed the ruling pending their action on a petition for a writ of certiorari filed by V.L.

filed a complaint in the Jefferson County Family Court to recognize the Georgia adoption decree.

In October 2014, the Court initially ruled that the Jefferson County judge was incorrect in granting adoption rights.

[4] Upon a request for rehearing, however, on February 27, 2015, the Court of Appeals upheld the original ruling recognizing the adoption decree, but ruled the trial court erred in not holding a hearing to address the issue.

Only Justice Shaw dissented, stating that the United States Constitution's Full Faith and Credit Clause prohibited the Alabama Supreme Court from ruling on the merits of the case.

[6] On December 14, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the ruling, pending their disposition of the case.

to continue to visit her children while the court considered her petition to review the case.

The court's reasoning was based on the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution.