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Stepparent adoption is the most common form of adoption in the U.S. Find resources and information about procedures, legal obligations, and requirements.

Continue reading Adopting a Stepchild

I am looking for information on how to handle the adoption of my 15 year old son by his stepfather of 10 years. I had him when I was young and never identified the father. The birth certificated states unknown under the name of the father.

I need to know how to proceed and what will be required for this adoption to take place. We would prefer to handle this adoption without an attorney. I would appreciate any info that someone can provide me.

My fiance and I are to be married this year, and he wishes to adopt my daughter, she also wishes to be adopted by him. She is 10 years old, and emotionally mature for her age.
Her father is a past drug dealer with a wrap sheet a mile long. But, he has partial custody, and has visitation. I dont beleive he will want to relinquish his rights to her. But she doesnt want to see him for visitation. My fiance adopting her would alleviate the problem. My fiance and I have been together for 9 years , and he is a constant in my daughters life, and a great dad. What can I do?

My gosh, that link you provided was excellent. I read it and I am going to start the process tomorrow...Hopefully everything works out! Thank you!

My fiancee wishes to adopt my daughter. My daughter's birth certificate doesn't identify anyone as her father. Her biological father is my ex. he doesn't support her, doesn't call her, doesn't even send her any letters. What are our options here? i was told that in order for my fiancee to adopt her even if there isn't anyone on her birth certificate that we would still have to get my ex's approval. Is this true?

I am trying to adopt my stepson. My husband and I have been together for 6 years and married for 2 1/2. My stepsons biological mother left over 3 years ago and hasn't seen or taked to him in almost 2, she has never sent any money or anything else for that matter to help support him. We do not know how to get in touch with her so how would that effect us in the adoption process as far as getting her to give her consent? Would we need her consent at this point? Her mother, his grandmother, is still in touch with him but she has passed along the information that his mother does not want to be part of his life anymore anyway. What should we do?

You would ALWAYS need her consent. In normal adoption there is a publish in a newspaper option.. Im not sure how it works in step-parent... theoretically it is supposed to be the same. It will really depend on how the judge feels about the explaination of "why" you cant serve her..

I am wanting to adopt my twin stepdaughters. Their mother has not had any contact with them if almost a year and has moved out of state somewhere. If anyone knows of any good websites for information or if anyone can help me please respond.

I would consult an attorney but as far as I know...the father has rights if he is doing right by the child (ie. visiting and paying support). You would have to prove him an unfit parent or he would have to stop all contact for about 6 months or more depending on your state for you to pursue parental right termination. (to second question)

I am wondering if anyone knows or anyone has done this. I have a 5 year old son and my husband wants to adopt him. On my son's birth certificate there is no father listed, so I do not know if we can just add him to the birth certificate or how this works? If anyone knows will you please let me know. Also I have no contact with the biological father and have not for 4 1/2 years and neither has my son. The only dad he knows is my current husband. Also if you can just add his name how would you go about changing his last name? Thank you in advance for your help.