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.

How much does stepparent adoption cost in total?

The total cost of stepparent adoption typically ranges from $550 to $850 when using our document preparation service ($349), plus court filing fees ($200-$400) and background check fees ($45-$65). If you hire an attorney, expect to pay $2,500 to $5,000+ in legal fees alone, bringing total costs to $3,000-$6,000 or more. Our service helps families save an average of $4,000 compared to attorney representation.

What's included in the $349 service fee?

Our $349 service fee includes: complete state-specific adoption forms, termination/consent documents, financial affidavits, county-specific filing instructions, a court preparation checklist, unlimited email support, and our 100% Court Acceptance Guarantee. We prepare all documents based on your questionnaire answers and deliver them within 24-48 hours.

Are there any hidden fees I should know about?

There are no hidden fees with our service. The $349 covers all document preparation and support. The only additional costs are those paid directly to your court (filing fees of $200-$400) and state-required background checks ($45-$65). If the biological parent cannot be located, service by publication may cost $50-$150 for newspaper notices. Home studies are typically waived for stepparent adoptions.

Why do attorney fees for stepparent adoption cost so much?

Attorneys typically charge $2,500 to $5,000+ for stepparent adoption because they bill by the hour (often $200-$400/hour) and include overhead costs for their practice. While attorneys provide legal advice, the documents they file are largely the same standardized court forms. Our service provides the same court-approved documents at a fraction of the cost, allowing families to complete the process themselves.

Is it worth paying more for an attorney?

For straightforward stepparent adoptions—which represent the vast majority of cases—attorney representation is not necessary. Courts routinely accept documents from self-represented parties (called 'pro se' petitioners). Attorneys may be helpful in complex cases involving contested adoptions or unusual legal issues, but most families successfully complete their adoption without one. We've helped over 34,000 families do exactly that.

What if I can't afford the court filing fees?

If you cannot afford court filing fees, most courts offer fee waivers for low-income families. Ask your local court clerk about filing an 'In Forma Pauperis' (IFP) petition, which allows you to proceed without paying filing fees if you meet income guidelines. Our filing instructions include information about requesting fee waivers in your jurisdiction.

Does adopting multiple children cost more?

Adopting multiple children in the same petition typically adds $99 per additional child to our service fee, as we prepare separate documents for each child. Court filing fees may also be slightly higher for multiple-child adoptions, though many courts charge a single fee per adoption case. We recommend filing all children in one petition when possible to minimize total costs.

Are there ongoing costs after the adoption is finalized?

After finalization, the only additional cost is obtaining a new birth certificate for the child, which typically costs $15-$50 depending on your state. There are no ongoing legal fees or annual costs. The adoption is permanent and final—the child becomes your legal child with all associated rights, including inheritance.

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How Much Does Stepparent Adoption Cost in 2025?

Q: 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.

The complete cost breakdown for stepparent and adult adoption—including what you'll pay us, what you'll pay the court, and what you'll save by not hiring an attorney.

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The Short Answer

With StepParent Adoption 360

$594 - $964

Total cost including court fees

With an Attorney

$2,745 - $6,215

Average legal fees + court costs

You save $2,000 - $4,600+ by preparing your own court documents with our professional guidance instead of paying attorney fees.

Complete Cost Breakdown

Transparent pricing—know exactly what you'll pay before you start

Document Preparation Service

Complete adoption packet for your state

$349

Court Filing Fees

Paid directly to your local court

$200 - $400

Background Check

State-required criminal history check

$45 - $65

Home Study

Typically waived for stepparent adoptions

Service by Publication

Only if biological parent cannot be found

$0 - $150

Total Estimated Cost

$594 - $964

What's Included in Our $349 Service

Everything you need to complete your stepparent or adult adoption—no hidden fees, no surprises.

Complete State-Specific Forms

Petition, consent forms, orders, and all required documents

Termination/Abandonment Documents

If biological parent consent isn't available

County Filing Instructions

Specific to your local court's requirements

24-48 Hour Delivery

Documents prepared and emailed quickly

100% Court Acceptance Guarantee

We revise if court requests changes

Unlimited Email Support

Questions answered throughout the process

Stepparent Adoption

For children under 18

$349one-time

All required court forms
State-specific documents
Filing instructions
Court acceptance guarantee
Unlimited support

Adult adoption also $349

Court Filing Fees by State

Filing fees are paid directly to your local court—here are examples from popular states

California

$20-$450

Varies significantly by county

Texas

$250-$350

Most counties in this range

Florida

$300-$400

Plus recording fees

New York

$210-$315

Depends on court

Pennsylvania

$150-$300

Orphans' Court fees

Illinois

$250-$350

Circuit Court fees

Fees Vary by County

Court filing fees can vary significantly within a state. Our filing instructions include the exact fee for your specific county, so you know exactly what to bring when you file.

Cost Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption Costs

Ready to Save Thousands on Your Adoption?

Join over 34,000 families who saved an average of $4,000 by preparing their own adoption documents with our professional guidance.

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100% Court Acceptance Guarantee - Documents Ready in 24-48 Hours