Are there any special requirements for adoption in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee has a handful of requirements that are specific to stepparent adoption, and most of them are about paperwork, notice to the other parent, and the consent of the child if they are 14 or older.

The court and the paperwork. Your case is filed in the Chancery or Circuit Court in your county. Tennessee has 95 counties, and local filing details can vary. Your filing generally includes:

• A Petition for Adoption
• A sworn statement of financial responsibility
• Your spouse's consent to the adoption

The court clerk in your county can confirm any additional local forms.

Residency. Tennessee sets no minimum residency period for stepparent adoption under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-115. You do not have to wait out a set number of months before filing.

Child's consent. If the child is 14 or older, their consent is required under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-117. For younger children, ask the clerk or an attorney how the court handles the child's input in your situation.

Home study. Tennessee waives the home study for stepparent adoptions under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-116. You will not need to schedule a social worker's visit to your home.

Notifying the other parent. The other legal parent must be properly notified. Tennessee allows:

• Personal service by a sheriff or process server
• Service by publication if you cannot locate the other parent after a diligent search

If the other parent objects, or you are unsure where they are, your situation depends on specific facts. Talk to the Chancery or Circuit Court clerk or an attorney about that issue. Tennessee also has a four-month abandonment period in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113, which may matter if a parent has been absent. Whether it applies to you is a question for an attorney. Termination of the other parent's rights is not handled as a separate case in Tennessee.

Length of your marriage. Tennessee does not specify a minimum marriage length, though courts generally prefer to see a stable relationship.

Timeline and cost. Stepparent adoptions in Tennessee typically take about 3-6 months. Court filing fees generally run $150-$350, and the total typically comes to under $1,000. Hiring an attorney for the same process commonly costs $3,000-$5,000+.

If you are adopting an adult. Tennessee permits adult adoption. The petitioner must be over 18, and the person being adopted gives sworn, written consent. The home study is waived, and these cases typically take about 4-8 weeks. If you are married, your spouse must join the petition under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-115.