Step-parent adoption and moving back to the UK

[MrBriney]

Hi,

I have adopted my two stepchildren, both of whom were born in the US and are not British citizens. In the coming months, my family and I will be moving to the UK from the US (my wife on a Spouse Visa). As I am legally the parent of my two children, will they need to be included in my wife's visa application as dependants? Can they just move back to the UK with me as my own children instead?

Essentially, if they are not considered to be my wife's dependants and can instead be detached from the visa process, it would make everything far simpler (and cheaper!) for my wife and I. If anyone can give any information on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Obie]

If the adoption is accepted in the UK, they will automatically be British Citizen.