Adult Adoption Forms: Documents and Filing Checklist

The short answer: an adult adoption packet is short. It usually comes down to the same core pieces: a petition (or an adoption agreement plus a petition to approve it), the adult's written consent, any spouse consents your state requires, and a proposed order. The adult's own consent is the one that matters most; in California, Texas and Nevada, for example, the biological parents' consent isn't required. What changes from state to state is the names of the documents, who must sign or join, and whether anyone must get notice.

The Core Adult Adoption Documents

Use a packet built for adult adoption, not one built for adopting a minor. Minor adoption packets include consents, investigations and termination papers that an adult adoption doesn't use.

California: An Agreement and a Petition to Approve It

California's courts describe adult adoption as a set of documents you create yourself, because there are no official statewide court forms for it. Check your county self-help center for pre-printed forms, samples or required local forms. The packet:

1. Adoption agreement, which must use special language, signed by you and the adult
2. Petition for approval of adoption agreement, describing your relationship, how long you've known each other, whether you're related, how the adoption is in everyone's best interest, and the names and addresses of the adult's living birth parents and adult children
3. Consent of spouses, from your spouse or domestic partner and the adult's, if any
4. Order of adoption, which the judge signs at the hearing
5. Court Report of Adoption (VS-44), if the adult wants a new birth certificate with your family name

The birth parents' consent isn't needed, though you list them in the petition. You file in the county where either of you lives; California's courts list a $20 filing fee. More detail is in our California adult adoption guide.

Texas: A Petition, the Adult's Consent and Both Spouses

An adult living in Texas may petition to adopt another adult, filing in the county of the petitioner's residence (Tex. Fam. Code §§ 162.501–162.502). The petition is titled "In the Interest of ________, An Adult," and if the petitioner is married, both spouses must join the petition (§ 162.503). The court can't grant the adoption unless the adult consents in writing (§ 162.504).

The petitioner and the adult must attend the hearing, though the court can waive attendance by written order for good cause (§ 162.505). On the spouses' request, the court can grant the adoption to just one spouse even though both joined (§ 162.506), which matters in a stepparent case where your spouse is already the adult's parent.

Florida: Consents Plus Notice to the Parents

Florida requires the adult's written consent and the written consent of the adult's spouse, if any; the court can waive the spouse's consent for good cause. Florida also requires written notice of the final hearing to the adult's parents, or proof that notice was served (Fla. Stat. § 63.062(8)). So a Florida packet includes the notice and proof of service. See our Florida filing checklist.

Nevada: An Agreement of Adoption

Nevada also uses an agreement. Any adult may adopt another adult who is at least 10 years younger (but not their own spouse) through a written agreement of adoption, approved by the district court in the county where either person lives (NRS 127C.700). The agreement says the two of you agree to assume the legal relationship of parent and child.

• Spouses: your spouse's agreement is required, and so is the adult's spouse's, if capable of agreeing (NRS 127C.710).
• Parents: neither the adult's parents' agreement nor anyone else's is required (NRS 127C.710(3)).
• Petition: it states your names and ages, your wish to establish the parent-child relationship, any name change and whether the adult wants an amended birth certificate, and whether you'd be added as an additional parent or replace a specific parent on it (NRS 127C.720).
• Hearing: the court can waive the hearing at your request; otherwise you both appear, and the court may require notice to other interested persons (NRS 127C.720).

Every Other State

Many states allow adult adoption, but the documents, age rules and notice requirements differ, and some states use their own court forms. Start with your state guide, then confirm local filing requirements with the clerk of the court where you'll file.

Five Checks Before You File

1. Names: use full legal names exactly as they appear on official records, and spell any new name exactly as it should appear.
2. Signers: list every petitioner and every person whose consent or joinder your state requires.
3. Signatures: follow the court's notarization or witnessing instructions.
4. Notice: include notice and proof of service if your state requires it.
5. Order: make sure the proposed order matches what you're asking for, including the name change.

Keep a complete copy of everything you file, and ask the clerk about the filing fee, the hearing and how many certified copies to order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What forms do I need to adopt an adult?

Usually a petition (or an adoption agreement and a petition to approve it), the adult's written consent, any spouse consents your state requires, and a proposed order. Some states add notice to the adult's parents, and a vital records report if the adult wants a new birth certificate.

Is there an official adult adoption form in every state?

No. California, for example, has no official statewide court forms for adult adoption; you create the documents unless your county has pre-printed forms. Check your county self-help center or clerk.

Do the adult's biological parents have to sign?

Generally, no. California's courts say birth parents don't need to consent, Nevada's law says the parents' agreement isn't required, and Texas requires only the adult's written consent. Florida requires notice of the final hearing to the parents, which is a routine step, not a veto.

Does my spouse have to sign?

In most of the states we've covered, yes, in some form. Texas requires both spouses to join the petition; California and Nevada require your spouse's consent or agreement. Florida requires the consent of the adult's spouse, if any.

Can I use a minor stepparent adoption packet for my adult stepchild?

No. Adult adoption uses different documents and different consent rules. Use your state's adult adoption process.

About the Author

Doug Brown, Founder. Doug Brown has helped families prepare stepparent and adult adoption paperwork since 2001: more than 34,000 families in all 50 states. StepParent Adoption 360 is a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and doesn't give legal advice.

Sources: California Courts self-help guide, "Adult adoption in California" (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov); Tex. Fam. Code §§ 162.501–162.506; Fla. Stat. § 63.062(8) (2026); Nevada Revised Statutes 127C.700–127C.720 (2025 revision). Company figure (34,000+ families since 2001) is from our own records.