The Adoption Process –
Start to Final Decree

Overview of the Adoption Process

Every adoption follows three main phases. On this page, we’ll walk through each step so you know exactly what to expect. If you’d like a more story-style explanation, you can also visit How Adoption Works and our Adoption Facts page.

The Stepparent Adoption Process (Minor Child)

This section explains the typical steps for adopting a minor stepchild. Your exact path may vary by state, but these are the key stages almost every family goes through. For costs and planning, see How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Stepchild? and for a broader overview, visit Adoption Facts.

1. Complete our secure online questionnaire.
   Click the green “Start Your Adoption” button, create your account, and answer questions about your family, the child, the other parent, and your state. If you don’t know certain information about the other parent, you can leave it blank and provide what you do know.
2. We prepare your court-ready documents (usually within about 24 hours).
   Our legal team prepares a complete set of adoption documents tailored to your situation and your filing county. We send them ready to review, sign, and notarize, and we are available to answer your questions as you review them.
3. Sign, notarize, and file with the court.
   Following our step-by-step instructions, you sign and notarize your documents and file them in the correct court in the county where you and the child live (or another allowed venue such as your home state if you are military).
4. Serve or notify the other parent.
   If the absent parent is signing a consent, those forms are included. If they are not signing, you will typically serve them by certified mail, sheriff/constable, process server, or, if they cannot be located, by publication in a newspaper as allowed by your state’s rules.
5. Complete any required background check and home study.
   Most courts require a background check of the stepparent. Some states require a home study, while many allow a waiver in stepparent adoptions. Where a waiver is available, we include the documents to request it.
6. Provide any needed medical exams or child consents.
   Some courts ask for a simple wellness check of the child. Older children may need to sign a consent if they are over a certain age (often 12–14, depending on the state).
7. Attend the final hearing and celebrate.
   The court schedules a brief adoption hearing, often very positive and family-focused. The judge reviews your documents, may ask a few simple questions, and if everything is in order, signs the decree.

We provide detailed written instructions with your packet and remain available by phone and email so you always know what to do next.

How the Other Parent Affects the Adoption Process

One of the biggest questions families have is what happens with the other biological parent. Most of the adoptions we help with are completed without the other parent’s consent, so this situation is very common. For more background, you can also read the “absent parent” sections on our Adoption Facts page.

Exact rules for consent, abandonment, and notice vary by state. Our job is to make sure your documents and instructions match the requirements where you will be filing.

The Adult Adoption Process

Adult adoptions are often simpler and faster than adoptions involving minor children. Many of the issues that slow down a minor adoption, such as custody, child support, or a contested termination of parental rights, do not apply when the person being adopted is an adult. You can also read more adult adoption facts on our Adoption Facts page.

1. The adult adoptee consents to the adoption.
   The person being adopted must voluntarily agree to the adoption. In many states, this consent is signed as part of the documents we prepare.
2. We prepare and you file the adoption petition.
   We create the petition and supporting documents for the proper court in the county where either the adopter or adoptee lives, based on your state’s rules.
3. Notice to any existing legal parent, if required.
   Some states require that any existing legal parent be notified, even though they may not have to consent. Where notice is required, we include these documents.
4. Attend a brief court hearing.
   The court may schedule a short hearing, often very straightforward, where the judge confirms the relationship and reviews the documents before signing the final decree.
5. Name change and new birth certificate.
   The adult adoptee can choose to change their name or keep it the same. A new birth certificate can be issued to reflect the new legal parent-child relationship, according to your state’s procedures.

Many adult adoptions can be completed in as little as 4–6 weeks, depending on the court’s schedule.

How Long Does the Adoption Process Take?

Every court is different, but most families we help can use these timeframes as a planning guide. For more on costs and court fees, see our stepchild adoption cost guide.

• Document preparation: Typically within about 24 hours after you submit your questionnaire.
• Court process for a minor stepparent adoption: Usually around three months after filing, depending on your judge and state.
• Court process for an adult adoption: Often 4–6 weeks once documents are filed, depending on court scheduling.

What We Handle vs. What You Handle

Common Questions About the Adoption Process

These quick answers explain how our online questionnaire, documents, and court steps all fit together. For an even deeper dive, you can also see our How Adoption Works and Adoption Facts pages.

Ready to Start the Adoption Process?

If you’re ready to make your family legally official, we’re here to make the adoption process clear, manageable, and affordable. We’ll prepare your court-ready documents, guide you through each requirement, and support you all the way to your final hearing.

START YOUR ADOPTION!

Have questions before you begin? Call (800) 878-2109 or email adoption@legalforms360.com.