How much does stepparent adoption cost?

Stepparent adoption through StepParent Adoption 360 costs $349, which includes all court-required forms for your state, professional document review, unlimited revisions, and phone/email support. This represents savings of approximately $4,600 compared to hiring an attorney, who typically charges $2,500-$5,000+ for the same service.

How long does stepparent adoption take?

The stepparent adoption process typically takes 3-6 months from filing to finalization, depending on your state's requirements and court scheduling. Our online questionnaire takes just 10-15 minutes to complete, and you'll receive your customized, court-ready documents within 24-48 hours.

What are the requirements for stepparent adoption?

Requirements vary by state but generally include: being legally married to or in a domestic partnership with the child's biological parent, the biological parent retaining custody, consent from both biological parents (or termination of the absent parent's rights), passing a background check, and in some states, a home study. Our state-specific forms guide you through your exact requirements.

Do I need the biological parent's consent for stepparent adoption?

In most cases, yes. The non-custodial biological parent must either voluntarily consent to the adoption or have their parental rights terminated by the court. Termination may be possible if the parent has abandoned the child, failed to support the child, or is deemed unfit. Our forms include the necessary consent documents for your state.

Can I complete stepparent adoption without an attorney?

Yes, stepparent adoption can be completed without an attorney in all 50 states. Our service provides all the court-required forms customized for your state, step-by-step filing instructions, and ongoing support. Over 34,000 families have successfully completed their adoptions using our service since 2001.

What forms are included in the stepparent adoption package?

Our $349 package includes all court-required forms for your specific state: Petition for Adoption, Consent to Adoption forms, Order of Adoption, and any additional state-required documents such as financial affidavits, background check forms, and filing instructions. All forms are customized with your information and ready to file.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. If your adoption forms are rejected by the court due to an error on our part, we will refund your payment in full, no questions asked. We also offer a 100% court acceptance guarantee on all our documents.

What is adult adoption and how is it different?

Adult adoption is the legal process of adopting someone who is 18 years or older. It's often used by stepparents who want to formally adopt an adult stepchild, or for inheritance and family recognition purposes. The process is typically simpler than minor adoption as it doesn't require home studies or biological parent consent in most states. Our adult adoption package is also $349.

Can you adopt an adult stepchild?

Yes, you can adopt an adult stepchild in all 50 states. Adult stepchild adoption is actually simpler than minor child adoption because it typically requires only the consent of the adult adoptee—no biological parent consent is needed, no home study is required, and the process usually takes just 2 to 6 weeks. Many stepparents choose adult adoption to formalize the relationship they built while the child was growing up.

How long does adult adoption take?

Adult adoption typically takes 2 to 6 weeks from filing to finalization, making it significantly faster than minor child adoption (which takes 3 to 6 months). The streamlined timeline reflects the simpler requirements—since only the adult adoptee's consent is needed and no home study is required, courts can process adult adoptions more quickly. Some cases finalize in as little as 2 weeks depending on court scheduling.

Do biological parents need to consent to adult adoption?

No, biological parents do not need to consent to adult adoption. Once the adoptee reaches 18 years of age, they can consent to their own adoption. The biological parent's rights are not terminated in the same way as with minor adoption—the adult adoptee simply gains an additional legal parent. This is one of the primary reasons adult adoption is faster and simpler than adopting a minor.

Does adult adoption affect inheritance rights?

Yes, adult adoption creates full inheritance rights between the adoptee and adopting parent. After adoption, the adult child can inherit from the adopting parent as if they were a biological child. In most states, the adoptee also retains inheritance rights from their biological parents, effectively gaining inheritance rights from both families. Estate planning considerations should be discussed with an attorney if this is a primary concern.

Can my spouse adopt my adult child from a previous relationship?

Yes, your spouse can adopt your adult child from a previous relationship. This is one of the most common reasons for adult adoption. Your adult child simply needs to consent to the adoption. The adoption formalizes the parent-child relationship that often already exists in practice, providing legal recognition and inheritance rights. Your consent as the biological parent is typically also required.

Is a home study required for adult adoption?

No, a home study is not required for adult adoption in any state. Since the adoptee is an adult who can make their own decisions about their welfare, courts do not require the investigation into the adopting parent's home environment that is standard for minor adoptions. This significantly reduces both the time and cost of the adult adoption process.

Can an adopted adult change their name through adoption?

Yes, an adopted adult can change their name as part of the adoption process. The adoption petition typically includes a section for requesting a name change, and the court order can specify the adoptee's new legal name. After finalization, you can obtain a new birth certificate reflecting the adoptive parent and, if requested, the new name. The name change is optional—many adult adoptees choose to keep their current name.

What documents are needed for adult adoption?

Adult adoption requires a Petition for Adult Adoption, the adoptee's written consent, the adopting parent's consent, and in most cases the biological parent's consent (if they are married to the adopting parent). Our $349 package includes all required forms customized for your state, along with filing instructions and a court preparation checklist. Court filing fees ($100-$300) are paid separately to your local court.

Can you adopt an adult who is married?

Yes, you can adopt a married adult, but their spouse typically must consent to the adoption. This requirement exists because the adoption may affect the spouse's inheritance rights and family relationships. The spouse's consent form is included in our adult adoption package. If the spouse refuses to consent, you may need to consult with an attorney about your options.

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Finalize in as little as 2-6 weeks

Adult Adoption: Formalize Your Family Bond

Whether you're a stepparent adopting an adult stepchild or formalizing another meaningful relationship, adult adoption is simpler, faster, and more affordable than you might think. Complete your adoption in weeks—not months.

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What is Adult Adoption?

Adult adoption is the legal process of adopting someone who is 18 years of age or older. It creates the same legally recognized parent-child relationship as adopting a minor child, including inheritance rights, the authority to make medical decisions for each other, and official family recognition on legal documents.

The most common scenario is a stepparent adopting an adult stepchild they helped raise. Perhaps you married when the child was young, raised them alongside your spouse, and now want to make the parent-child relationship official. Or perhaps the child is now an adult who wants the legal recognition of the bond you've built over the years.

Why Adult Adoption is Simpler

Because the adoptee is an adult who can consent to their own adoption, many of the protections required for minor children—like home studies, biological parent consent, and extensive background checks—are not required. This means adult adoption typically takes 2 to 6 weeks instead of months.

Why Families Choose Adult Adoption

The legal and emotional benefits of making your relationship official

Legal Family Recognition

Formalize the parent-child bond that already exists. Gain the legal status that matches your family reality.

Full Inheritance Rights

Your adult child can inherit from you as a legal heir, and you can inherit from them—just like biological family.

Medical Decision Authority

Make medical decisions for each other in emergencies, without needing additional legal documents.

New Birth Certificate

Receive a new birth certificate listing the adoptive parent as the legal parent. The original becomes sealed.

Extended Family Connections

The adopted adult becomes a legal member of your extended family—grandparents, siblings, and all relatives.

Employee Benefits Eligibility

May qualify for dependent benefits, family leave policies, and insurance coverage as a legal child.

Adult Adoption vs. Minor Child Adoption

See why adult adoption is faster, simpler, and more affordable

Feature	Adult Adoption	Minor Adoption
Timeline	2-6 weeks	3-6 months
Home Study	Not required	Sometimes required
Bio Parent Consent	Not required	Required or must be terminated
Background Check	Usually not required	Required
Court Hearings	1 brief hearing	May require multiple
Cost	$349 + ~$200 filing	$349 + ~$300 filing

The Adult Adoption Process

Three simple steps to make your family official

Complete Questionnaire

Answer simple questions about yourself, the adult adoptee, and your relationship. Takes about 10 minutes.

10 minutes

Receive Your Documents

We prepare your complete adult adoption packet, customized for your state. Delivered via email within 24-48 hours.

24-48 hours

File & Finalize

File with your local court, attend a brief hearing (often just 10-15 minutes), and receive your adoption decree.

2-6 weeks

Finalize in 2-6 weeks

Adult Adoption Package

$349

one-time fee

Complete Petition for Adult Adoption
Adoptee consent form
Adopting parent consent form
Spouse consent (if applicable)
Order of Adoption
State-specific filing instructions
Court preparation checklist
100% Court Acceptance Guarantee
Unlimited email support

Court filing fees ($100-$300) paid separately

Common Questions

Adult Adoption FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about adopting an adult

Ready to Make Your Family Official?

Adult adoption is simpler than you think. Start today and finalize your adoption in as little as 2-6 weeks.