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West Virginia Adoption - $325
Now you can complete your stepparent adoption or adult adoption in West Virginia 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 West Virginia adoption team will review your information and prepare adoption papers specifically for your situation.
- Adoption specialist for West Virginia 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 West Virginia adoption process.
- Over 20 years experience filing adoptions in the West Virginia court system
- 100% Court acceptance in the West Virginia adoption/Probate Court.
- Fast Process. Submit your order today and file your adoption forms tomorrow.
Information on filing an adoption in West Virginia.
When we prepare your West Virginia 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 West Virginia. Whether you are filing a stepparent adoption or an adult adoption, we will be able to help you get your adoption finalized.
West Virginia Stepparent & Adult Adoptions: A Comprehensive Guide
With References to West Virginia Code § 48-22
Whether you’re looking to adopt a stepchild or formalize a parent-child relationship with an adult, West Virginia’s adoption statutes (primarily W. Va. Code § 48-22) outline the process. Below is an overview of the key requirements, consent rules, and timelines for both stepparent and adult adoptions.
1. Residency Requirements
- Residency Duration: Under W. Va. Code § 48-22-201 and related sections, at least one adopting parent or the adoptee must reside in West Virginia before filing an adoption petition. While there is no rigid “six-month” rule, courts generally expect a demonstrable residence in the state.
- Where to File: Adoption petitions are typically filed in the circuit court (or family court division, if applicable) of the county where you or the adoptee resides.
2. Stepparent Adoption in West Virginia
A stepparent adoption, governed by W. Va. Code § 48-22 et seq., legally establishes the stepparent as the child’s parent and terminates the rights of the absent parent if they have abandoned the child or cannot be located.
2.1. Consent of the Absent Parent
- General Rule: Under W. Va. Code § 48-22-301, the consent of both legal parents is typically required.
- Exception—Abandonment: If the absent parent has provided no financial support and no significant contact for a continuous period (often 6–12 months), the court may determine abandonment under W. Va. Code § 48-22-306, allowing adoption without that parent’s formal consent.
- Unknown Whereabouts: A diligent search is necessary if the absent parent’s location is unknown. The court may then require notice by publication before terminating parental rights.
2.2. Child’s Consent
- Children 12 and Older: Although West Virginia statutes do not fix one absolute age across all cases, W. Va. Code § 48-22-302 generally states that a child 12 years of age or older should consent to the adoption unless the court finds good cause to dispense with this requirement.
2.3. Timeline & Process
- File the Petition: Complete a Petition for Adoption with the circuit court in your county.
- Notice & Service: If the absent parent can be located, they must be served. If not, request the court’s permission for notice by publication.
- Termination of Parental Rights: If the absent parent does not voluntarily relinquish rights, you may need to pursue an involuntary termination based on abandonment or other grounds under W. Va. Code § 48-22-306.
- Final Hearing: If uncontested, the hearing is often brief. Stepparent adoptions in West Virginia typically finalize within 3–6 months, depending on court scheduling.
- Adoption Decree: Once granted, you’ll receive a final order establishing the stepparent as the legal parent.
2.4. New Birth Certificate
After the adoption decree is issued, you can request a new birth certificate from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Vital Registration Office. This amended certificate will list the adoptive parent and reflect any new name for the child. The original birth record is sealed and only accessible by court order (W. Va. Code § 48-22-701).
3. Adult Adoption in West Virginia
Adult adoptions in West Virginia generally involve fewer legal hurdles, since terminating another parent’s rights is unnecessary. This process formalizes the relationship and may provide inheritance and other legal benefits.
3.1. Consent & Process
- Adult’s Consent: The adult adoptee must voluntarily agree to be adopted. No consent is required from any biological parent(s).
- Petition Filing: File an Adult Adoption Petition with the circuit court in the county where either the adopter or adoptee resides.
3.2. Timeline
- Faster Proceedings: Because parental rights aren’t being terminated, adult adoptions can generally finalize in 45–90 days, as long as the paperwork is correct and uncontested.
3.3. Legal Effects
- Name Change: The adult adoptee may request a name change as part of the final adoption order.
- New Birth Certificate: An amended birth certificate may be obtained listing the adoptive parent, though some adults choose not to alter their original record unless needed for inheritance or personal reasons.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
- Does child support from the absent parent continue after the adoption is finalized?
- Typically, once the adoption is complete and parental rights are terminated, the absent parent’s child support obligations end, unless otherwise specified by a prior court order.
- What if the absent parent contests the adoption?
- The court will conduct a hearing to determine whether there are grounds (such as abandonment) to terminate parental rights. If the court finds abandonment under W. Va. Code § 48-22-306, the adoption may proceed despite objections.
- Are home studies required for stepparent adoptions?
- West Virginia courts often waive or abbreviate home studies for stepparent adoptions, though a minimal investigation may be ordered to ensure the adoption serves the child’s best interests.
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West Virginia courts approve our adoption forms. You can file with confidence.
THE ADOPTION PROCESS IN WEST VIRGINIA
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.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 WEST VIRGINIA
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 West Virginia.
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, with consent or proper grounds, 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 WEST VIRGINIA ADOPTION
Our online questionnaire provides our legal department with the information we need to prepare you West Virginia adoption forms. Our experienced West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia adoption papers are correct.
Low Cost-Only $325
Our West Virginia 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.
