Comprehensive FAQ: Stepparent Adoption Cost – Expert Answers from StepParent Adoption 360

Understanding stepparent adoption costs is important for families considering this process. With over 25 years of experience and 30,000+ families served since 1999, StepParent Adoption 360 provides transparent, expert guidance on all financial aspects.

With StepParent Adoption 360, the total cost is typically $625-$825:

• Our service: $349 ($95 for each additional child)
• Court costs: approximately $300-$500 (filing fee, background check, service)

Compare this to hiring an attorney, which typically costs $1,000-$3,000 for uncontested cases according to Justia.com. You can save thousands with our service while getting the same court-approved result.

Filing fees range from $0 to approximately $450, with most states averaging around $150. Florida has the highest filing fees at approximately $450, while some states have no filing fee at all. Your exact filing fee depends on your county.

• Service of process: approximately $50 (via sheriff)
• Background check: $50-$100
• Home study (if required): $300-$400 (about half of states allow this to be waived)
• Certified copies: $10-$25 each

Total court costs typically run $300-$500 for most families.

No! We have helped over 30,000 families successfully complete their adoptions without using an attorney. Our $349 service provides all court-approved documents, step-by-step instructions, and support throughout the process. This saves you thousands compared to attorney fees of $1,000-$3,000+.

The court process typically takes about 3 months from filing to finalization. Adult adoptions can be completed in 4-6 weeks.

We deliver your completed, state-specific documents within 24 hours of your order.

Here's what most families don't realize: Most of the adoptions we help families complete are done without the other parent's consent. This is completely normal and routine.

The consent of the other biological parent is not required to do a stepparent adoption. If the other parent has abandoned the child – meaning they haven't maintained meaningful contact – the court will approve the adoption without their consent.

Courts are very familiar with completing stepparent adoptions without consent. They want children to have the unity and security of a two-parent home. The timeline and cost are the same whether or not consent is involved.

• Most states: No meaningful contact for 1 year
• Pennsylvania: 90 days
• Alabama: 6 months

"Token contact" (occasional phone call, one visit) doesn't count as maintaining a parental relationship. Even if the other parent pays child support, they can still be found to have abandoned the child if they haven't maintained a meaningful relationship.

About half of states allow the home study to be waived for stepparent adoptions, recognizing that the child already lives in the home. If required, the cost is typically $300-$400 (California is closer to $600).

The home study for stepparent adoption is different from other types – it's just an interview to confirm the adoption is in the child's best interest.

This is very common in the adoptions we help families complete. When the other parent's whereabouts are unknown, they're served by "publication" – a notice published in a newspaper. This is a standard legal process that courts handle routinely.

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Start your stepparent adoption today with StepParent Adoption 360.

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Questions? Call 855-924-0450 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm MST)