Can a same-sex stepparent adopt in Alaska?

Yes, a same-sex stepparent can pursue a stepparent adoption in Alaska. You file in the Superior Court, and we prepare the paperwork for same-sex couples the same way we do for any other family. Here is how the process works in Alaska.

Where you file: The Superior Court. Alaska has 29 boroughs, and the Superior Court clerk in your family's area can tell you about local filing details.

Residency: Alaska has no minimum residency period for a stepparent adoption.

Child's consent: If the child is 10 or older, the child's consent is part of the process (Alaska Stat. § 25.23.040).

The other parent: The child's other legal parent is usually a key part of the process. If that parent is not available or is not willing to take part, Alaska's abandonment provision refers to a period of 6 months (Alaska Stat. § 25.23.050(a)(1)-(2)). Whether it applies depends on the specific facts. For a contested case, or one where the other parent is unknown or can't be found, talk to an attorney or the Superior Court clerk about your situation.

Home study: Alaska waives the home study for a stepparent adoption (Alaska Stat. § 25.23.100), so you don't need to schedule one as a standard step.

Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Alaska typically take 3-6 months.

Common situations:

• A wife adopting her wife's child from a prior relationship
• A husband adopting his husband's child from a prior relationship
• A couple who are not married, where one partner wants to adopt the other's child. Alaska's adoption statutes list who may adopt, including an unmarried adult. How that works for your family depends on your facts, so ask an attorney or the Superior Court clerk before you start.

Fees and records: The court filing fee is set by the court, so the clerk in your area can confirm the current amount.