Step-Parent Adoption Process

If you are a stepparent that has recently decided to adopt the child(ren) of your current spouse, you might be wondering where to file your documents. 

In most states step-parent adoption documents are filed with the clerk of the Supreme Court. This must be done in the county where that child currently resides. Once you have been approved for the adoption, the child will receive a new birth certificate bearing his/her new name. 

Depending on the state you file in, there may be other guidelines that you need to be aware of. For example, you may have to prove your residency in the state in which you file at the final hearing for your adoption. 

No matter how confident you are in your desire to complete a step parent adoption, doing so can be tricky and time-consuming. Contact a Riverside family law attorney today to discuss your legal options to ensure a fast, hassle-free adoption.