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.
Begin your adult adoption today
Read More
sometimes has to get permission from the child’s biological parent. That is not necessary with an adult adoption.