4.—(1) An adoption agency may not consider a person eligible to adopt unless the application under regulation 3 is made by a married couple or one person and–
(a)in the case of an application by a married couple, they have both attained the age of 21 years and the requirement prescribed in regulation 19(1)(a) is complied with; or
(b)in the case of an application by one person, he has attained the age of 21 years and one of the conditions in article 15(1) of the 1987 Order is satisfied and the requirement prescribed in regulation 19(1)(a) is complied with.
(2) The adoption agency must notify a prospective adopter in writing as soon as possible after becoming aware that he is not eligible to adopt because he does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1).