I recently bought the Legendary edition of the game and I was approached by the courier in Whiterun who gave me a list of papers related to Hearthfire, however, the paper entitled "Consider Adoption" was not handed to me so I am just wondering if you have to kill Grelod in order to initiate the option, thanks in advance!

I believe you do, that way, Constance is the one in charge.

However, that only applies to the children in the orphanage. You can adopt the city children. I would recommend Sofie. Poor girl.

Thanks for your answer! I'm off to kill Grelod

Make it brutal! I use Teleknesis on a cabbage and threw it at her.

I like the way my Imperial did it. Caught her sitting at the table, probably resting after beating a kid, and buried a battle-axe in her head.

I've killed her several ways. This last time, my character just walked straight up to her face and stabbed her in the chest. She wasn't even finished talking to the kiddies.

Pretty much the same way I did it the first time. This time I intend to be a little sneakier and nastier.

OT: Lucia AND Sophie. Two little girls caught out in the cold. Melts my heart.

Tell me about it. Or Blaise, whose situation is little better. More on the subject: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1423060-an-interesting-take-on-skyrims-adoptable-kids/

Yeah but at least the boys have a job and a place to sleep as well as something to eat. I go for the ones who need my help the most. Sophie sells flowers but come on, Windhelm is brutal if you have Frostfall and Lucia has to beg. No contest IMO.

There are several children in the cities that can be adopted without killing Grelod. One in Whiterun, one in Dawnstar, one in Windhelm, and one other that I don't remeber off-hand.

To adopt from Honorhall, however, requires the following and ALL ARE MANDANTORY:

Kill Grelod.

Talk to the Arentino kid in Windhelm (this also starts the DB quest, btw).

Have a place for the kids to sleep (there is an option for all the city houses, and Hearthfire main halls and Bedroom wings are automatic).

Have a place for them to store their "treasures" (City houses are complete with this, fully built Hearthfire Main halls also, Bedroom wings need the Child's chests).

Best way to know where you have these things is with your in-game spouse. He/she will only move somewhere where the above has been done.

EDIT: you can only adopt up to 2 children in a vanilla (unmodded) game. period.

The other is at the Solitude stables.