Yes—You Can Adopt Without the Father’s Consent
Most of our families do. When state-law grounds are met, judges approve the adoption—even without his signature.
In the majority of the 25,000+ adoptions we’ve helped with, courts have granted the adoption
without a signed consent from the father. States allow this when you prove legal grounds such as abandonment,
failure to support, or when he cannot be located
We prepare state-specific, court-ready documents and give you
step-by-step instructions so you can finish your stepparent or adult adoption without paying
thousands to an attorney.
Choose Your Adoption Path
Whether you’re adopting a stepchild or completing an adult adoption, our
$325 flat-fee packet is designed for families who need to proceed without the father’s consent when state-law grounds are met.
Stepparent Adoption
one-time fee
Includes one child. Each additional child is just $95.
- All court-required forms for your state
- Prepared and reviewed by adoption specialists
- Step-by-step filing instructions
- Phone & email support through your case
- 100% court-acceptance & money-back guarantee
Adult Adoption
one-time fee
One simple price for an adult adoptee. No consent needed from the other biological parent.
- All court-required adult adoption forms
- Customized to your state and situation
- Clear filing and hearing instructions
- Phone & email support from our team
- 100% court-acceptance guarantee
Not sure which path is right for you? Our team can help you decide whether a stepparent or adult adoption is the best fit.
Why Courts Approve Adoptions Without the Father’s Consent
Judges don’t approve adoptions based on how they “feel” about your case. They are bound by state adoption statutes.
In many states, courts may grant a stepparent or adult adoption without the father’s consent when specific legal grounds are proven and proper notice is given.
When your filing clearly shows that a statutory ground exists (such as abandonment, failure to support, or the father cannot be located after a diligent search), the court can terminate parental rights and move forward with the adoption even if the father refuses to sign—or cannot be found.
This page is general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Adoption laws differ from state to state,
so you should always confirm the specific requirements where you live.
Common Legal Grounds for Adopting Without the Father’s Consent
Exact wording varies by state, but many adoption laws recognize one or more of these grounds for terminating a parent’s rights and allowing an adoption to proceed without consent:
- Abandonment / failure to support for the statutory period
The father has failed to provide support or maintain contact for a period defined by state law (often 6–12 months). - Failure to maintain a parent–child relationship
Little or no meaningful involvement in the child’s life—no visits, calls, messages, or participation in school
and medical decisions. - Unable to locate the father after a diligent search
Despite reasonable efforts to locate him, his whereabouts are unknown and he cannot be served. Many states allow notice by publication or alternate service in these situations. - Serious endangerment or unfitness
In some states, proof of serious abuse, neglect, or long-term issues (such as chronic substance abuse) can support termination of parental rights.
Your packet explains how these concepts apply in your state and organizes the documents so the judge can quickly see the grounds and supporting facts.
Two Real-World Paths We See Most Often
Here’s how most families we help are able to adopt without the father’s consent—and how our packet guides them through it.
1) No Contact & No Support
In many states, when a father has made little or no effort to support or contact the child for the statutory period, the court can find abandonment or failure to support. Your packet helps you:
- Lay out a clear timeline of contact (or lack of contact)
- Explain any history with child support or missed payments
- Show who has actually been parenting the child day-to-day
Courts use these facts, together with your state’s statute, to decide whether the legal ground for termination has been met.
2) You Can’t Locate the Father
When you genuinely don’t know where the father is, most states require a diligent search before
allowing notice by publication or other alternate service. Our packet includes:
- A Diligent Search Checklist (last known addresses, USPS forwarding, online directory checks, etc.)
- Guidance on contacting relatives and other possible sources of information
- An Affidavit of Diligent Search for you to sign and file
If your state allows publication or alternate notice, we show how to complete that step so the court can move forward even when the father doesn’t respond.
How Long Does It Take—and Do You Need an Attorney?
How long does the process usually take?
Most stepparent adoptions our customers file are finalized in about three months after filing.
Adult adoptions often complete in two to six weeks. Timing depends on:
- How quickly your court schedules hearings
- Whether you need publication or alternate service
- Any additional local requirements (such as background checks)
Do you need an attorney to adopt without consent?
The families we help typically complete their adoption without hiring an attorney. Your packet includes:
- All required adoption and termination-of-rights forms for your state
- Plain-English instructions and filing checklists for each step
- Guidance on common issues the court may ask about
If you want legal advice about your chances or a contested situation, you can always consult a local attorney. Many families still use our packet to save time and reduce legal fees, even when they choose to speak with counsel.
What We Do for You (So You Don’t Have to Guess)
Our job is to make the paperwork and court steps as simple and predictable as possible. For $325, your
adoption packet includes:
Court-Ready Documents
- State-specific, court-ready forms auto-filled from your answers
- Petitions, consents, and termination documents where appropriate
- Language for name changes and new birth certificates where allowed
Grounds & Diligent Search Support
- Guidance tied to your state’s statutes and common grounds
- Diligent Search Checklist and affidavit templates when the father can’t be located
- Packet order that highlights the facts judges care about most
Step-by-Step Help & Guarantee
- Filing checklists from start through the hearing
- Friendly support if the court asks for changes or clarifications
- Court-acceptance guarantee on documents we prepare based on the information you provide
Over 25,000 families have used our program to complete stepparent and adult adoptions—many of them
in situations where the father did not sign consent.
Ready to Start Your Adoption Without the Father’s Consent?
You don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to spend $5,000+ on legal fees. Our flat-fee
$325 adoption packet gives you the forms, instructions, and support you need to file with confidence.
Join thousands of families who have successfully completed their stepparent or adult adoption—even when the biological
father did not sign.
Prefer to talk first? Call us at (800) 878-2109.
We are a document-preparation service, not a law firm. This page is general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice.
unrelated third parties. Of course, there is still paperwork to be completed and the adoption must be approved by the court. However, much, if not most, of the initial exploration is usually not necessary as it is for outside adoptions.