What Is Adult Adoption?
Adult adoption is the legal process of adopting a person who is 18 years of age or older. It’s more common than most people realize — and it’s considerably simpler than adopting a minor child.
At StepparentAdoptionForms.com, we prepare court-approved adult adoption documents for all 50 states. The process is straightforward, and our $325 package includes everything you need.
Why People Choose Adult Adoption
There are many reasons families pursue adult adoption:
Stepparent-Stepchild Relationships
The most common reason for adult adoption is a stepparent who raised a child but never completed the formal adoption. Now that the child is an adult, both parties want to make the relationship legally official. This often happens when:
- The biological parent was absent and never consented to adoption during childhood
- The family didn’t know about or couldn’t afford the adoption process earlier
- The adult child wants to formalize the bond and take their stepparent’s last name
Inheritance and Estate Planning
An adopted adult child has the same inheritance rights as a biological child. This is particularly important when:
- The adopting parent wants to ensure the person is included as a legal heir
- Estate planning requires a formal parent-child relationship
- Insurance or pension benefits require a legal family relationship
Family Reunification
Adult adoption is sometimes used to formalize family relationships that were disrupted — for example, a biological parent reconnecting with a child placed for adoption years ago.
How Adult Adoption Differs from Minor Adoption
Adult adoption is generally much simpler than adopting a minor:
| Requirement | Minor Adoption | Adult Adoption |
|---|---|---|
| Biological parent consent | Usually required | Generally not required |
| Home study | Required in many states | Almost never required |
| Background check | Always required | Varies by state |
| Waiting period | Often 3-6 months | Often 1-3 months |
| Court hearing | Required | Required in most states |
The Adult Adoption Process
- Complete our online questionnaire (10-15 minutes) — Provide information about yourself and the person being adopted
- Receive your documents (24-48 hours) — All required forms for your state, pre-filled with your information
- Both parties sign the documents — The adopting parent and the adult being adopted must both consent
- File with your county court — We provide exact instructions for where and how to file
- Attend the court hearing — A brief hearing (typically 15-20 minutes) where the judge finalizes the adoption
Cost of Adult Adoption
Our adult adoption document preparation package is $325 — the same as our stepparent adoption package. Court filing fees (paid directly to the court) typically range from $100-$300. Most families complete the entire process for under $700, compared to $2,000-$4,000+ for attorney-assisted adult adoption.
State-Specific Considerations
A few states have unique rules for adult adoption:
- Some states require the adopting parent to be older than the person being adopted (typically by 10+ years)
- A few states don’t permit adult adoption or have significant restrictions
- Some states require the adopted adult’s spouse to consent
Start Your Adult Adoption
Our $325 package includes all court-required forms for your state, professional document review, unlimited revisions, and full support throughout the process.
