Adult Adoption

Adult adoptions are not as common and do not require the same procedure as a child adoption. Because the person requesting to be adopted is an adult, termination of parental rights is not required for an adult adoption to occur.

Depending on the county, the process may be slightly different. The process is started by filing the petition for adoption and requires the consent of the person to be adopted. If the person requesting to be adopted is also asking for a name change, that person is required to go through a criminal background check and the report is submitted to the court.

Once the above is complete, the Court can grant the adult adoption and change the adult’s name. If a request for a new birth certificate is made, that process is separate after the adoption and name change is granted.

We have handled quite a few adult adoptions in the counties we practice in.