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We make the adoption process in Alabama simple, fast and affordable.
Alabama Adoption - $325
Now you can complete your stepparent adoption in Alabama without having to pay high attorney fees. We make it possible to file and your own adoption. We never sell "automated" adoption forms, only documents prepared by an experienced adoption specialist. Our experienced Alabama adoption team will review your information and prepare adoption papers specifically for your situation.
- Adoption specialist for Alabama handles your case.
- Every customer is backed by our 100% Court Acceptance Guarantee.
- We stay with you through the entire process, to help guide you through the Alabama adoption process.
- Over 20 years experience filing adoptions in the Alabama court system
- 100% Court acceptance in the Alabama adoption/Probate Court.
- Fast Process. Submit your order today and file your adoption forms tomorrow.
Information on filing an adoption in Alabama.
When we prepare your Alabama adoption papers, we will include all the provisions specific to your situation. Documents we prepare for one family will be different than the documents for another family, because circumstances are different. We ensure that your adoption forms are ready to sign and file with the court in Alabama. Whether you are filing a stepparent adoption or an adult adoption, we will be able to help you get your adoption finalized.
Alabama Stepparent & Adult Adoptions: A Comprehensive Guide
Adoption in Alabama is governed primarily by the Alabama Adoption Code (Title 26, Chapter 10A), which outlines the requirements, procedures, and legal effects for both stepparent and adult adoptions. Below is an overview of the key steps and considerations, with references to relevant state law where possible.
1. Residency Requirements
Under Ala. Code § 26-10A-3(2) and related provisions, adoptive parents typically must have lived in Alabama for at least six (6) months prior to filing for adoption, although there can be some exceptions for military families and other specific circumstances. The adoption petition is generally filed in the Probate Court of the county where you reside or where the adoptee resides.
2. Stepparent Adoption in Alabama
2.1. Legal Standing of the Stepparent
To adopt a stepchild in Alabama, you must be the current spouse of the child’s legal parent. The child’s legal parent must have physical and/or legal custody of the child, though a formal custody order is not always required if de facto custody exists.
2.2. Consent of the Absent Parent
- General Rule: Under Ala. Code § 26-10A-7, consent from both legal parents is normally required. However, when the other parent is absent or unwilling, there are exceptions.
- No Consent / Abandonment: According to Ala. Code § 26-10A-9, if the absent parent has abandoned the child, the adoption can proceed without that parent’s consent. Abandonment typically means the parent has made no substantial contact or provided support for at least 12 months (the court may look at a six-month period under certain conditions, but a year of no contact is often considered clear evidence).
- Unknown Identity or Whereabouts: If the other parent’s identity or location is unknown, the court may require a diligent search, notice by publication, or other efforts to locate the parent. If these efforts fail, the court can still allow the adoption to go forward.
2.3. Child’s Consent
- Children Aged 14 and Older: Under Ala. Code § 26-10A-7(a)(5), if the child is 14 years or older, the child’s written consent to the adoption is required. The child typically signs a separate form or appears in court to consent.
2.4. Court Procedures & Timeline
- File Petition: You’ll file your adoption petition in the Probate Court.
- Service & Notice: If the absent parent’s whereabouts are known, they must be notified. If unknown, the court may require publication.
- Possible Hearing: The court may schedule a hearing, though not all cases require a formal appearance if all consents are in order.
- Final Decree: A stepparent adoption in Alabama often takes around 3 months to finalize, though the exact timeframe may vary.
2.5. New Birth Certificate
Once the adoption is complete, the Alabama Center for Health Statistics can issue a new birth certificate for the child, reflecting the new parent’s name and any name change for the child. The original birth record becomes sealed and is only accessible by court order.
3. Adult Adoption in Alabama
Adult adoptions in Alabama are typically more straightforward:
- Consent: Since the adoptee is an adult, they must consent to the adoption, but there is generally no requirement for consent from the biological parents (Ala. Code § 26-10A-5 applies broadly to who may be adopted).
- Timeframe: With fewer procedural requirements, adult adoptions in Alabama can often be finalized in 45–60 days.
- Legal Effects: Once the adoption is finalized, the adult adoptee may opt for a new birth certificate, and the adoptive parent and adoptee will hold all the rights and responsibilities associated with a legal parent-child relationship (including inheritance rights).
4. Additional Considerations
- Legal Assistance: If you’re uncertain about how the law applies to your specific situation—especially regarding abandonment, missing parents, or complex custody issues—consulting a family law attorney can help ensure a smooth process.
- Name Changes: Many families choose to change the child’s last name to match the stepparent. This can be requested as part of the adoption petition, and the court’s final decree will make the name change official.
- Social Service Involvement: While some Alabama stepparent adoptions may require a minimal investigation, most uncontested cases can proceed without extensive social service involvement.
- Termination of Rights: When a stepparent adoption is granted, the absent parent’s rights (and responsibilities, such as child support obligations) are typically terminated unless there is a separate legal arrangement or court order addressing ongoing contact or support.
5. How We Can Help
Our service prepares all necessary legal adoption documents in compliance with Alabama’s adoption laws so you can file them confidently in Probate Court. We:
- Ensure the paperwork meets statutory requirements.
- Guide you through consent and notice procedures (including cases involving abandonment or unknown parent identity).
- Provide clear instructions on how to finalize the adoption, including obtaining a new birth certificate.
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Alabama courts approve our adoption forms. You can file with confidence.
THE ADOPTION PROCESS IN ALABAMA
The court wants the child to have the unity and security of a two-parent home, and when the absent parent is not active in the child’s life, then the court will do the adoption without the consent of the other parent. If the other parent is willing to sign a consent, that will make the adoption easier, but if the absent parent has abandoned the child, then you can do the adoption without the father’s consent.
Alabama Stepparent & Adult Adoption.
You no longer need to spend thousands on an attorney to complete your adoption. We give you the power to complete your own stepparent or adult adoption. We help you through all the stages of the adoption process, until the adoption is finalized and a new birth certificate is issued for the adoptee.
We understand what the courts need in Alabama to finalized an adoption, and will make sure that you have everything you need to have your adoption successfully processed and finalized by the court.
To get started, click the buttons our site that says "Start your Adoption". This will take you to our questionnaire which provides our legal department the information needed to complete the legal documents for your Alabama adoption.
FACT: The documents we prepare for your family will be different from what we prepare for another family. This is because the adoption forms are prepared specifically for your situation. This is why it is important to put in as much information as possible in our online questionnaire.
Once you submit your order, our team will prepare your Alabama adoption forms and send them to you ready to sign and file with the court. Then our support department will stay with you through the entire adoption process.
COMPLETING AN ADOPTION IN ALABAMA
We have helped thousands of families successfully complete their adoptions. Whether it is a stepparent adoption or adult adoption, we can make it possible for you to complete your adoption without having to pay high attorney fees. No matter your situation, whether the father's identity is unknown, or any other issue, we will be able to help guide you through the adoption process in Alabama.
Giving you the power to complete your adoption.
Courts understand that it is in the child's best interest to have two active and legal parents. When one parent is not active in the child's life, the court will do what is best for the child, and approve an adoption upon the submission of the proper legal adoption documents.
We have seen every possible situation, and can help all of these families complete the adoption. Whether it is a surrogacy adoption, unknown father, multiple fathers, or deceased parents, we have the experience to help you complete your adoption - Guaranteed!
Don't let the high cost of an attorney stop you from completing your stepparent or adult adoption. You now have a legal and affordable means to complete your adoption and unite your family.
GET STARTED WITH YOUR ALABAMA ADOPTION
Our online questionnaire provides our legal department with the information we need to prepare you Alabama adoption forms. Our experienced Alabama adoption team will prepare your filing documents and send them to you ready to sign and file with the court.
SIMPLE 3-STEP PROCESS: Complete the questionnaire, then review and sign your Alabama adoption forms, and file with the court. Our step-by-step instructions will help guide you through the process.
Court Experience
With more than 100,000 court document prepared over the past 20 years, we have the experience to make sure your Alabama adoption papers are correct.
Low Cost-Only $325
Our Alabama adoption department will make sure your documents are ready to file. We will prepare your document right - All for $325 (You will also have a court filing fee that you will pay later to the Court).
Court Guarantee
You can file with confidence, we back every customer with a 100% money-back court acceptance guarantee.
