Can a same-sex stepparent adopt in Nebraska?

Yes. If you are a stepparent married to a child's parent, you can pursue a stepparent adoption in Nebraska whether you are a stepmom or a stepdad, because Nebraska's adoption statute says "any adult person" may adopt a minor child (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-101). The case is filed in the County Court, and the steps are the same as for any other stepparent adoption.

What the process looks like in Nebraska:

• Court: You file a petition in the County Court in your county. Nebraska has 93 counties, so the clerk in your county is the best source for local forms and filing details.
• Residency: Nebraska sets no minimum residency period for stepparent adoption (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-102).
• Child's consent: A child who is 14 or older is asked to consent (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-104).
• The other parent: The other legal parent either consents or the petition asks the court to end that parent's rights. Abandonment is measured at 6 months (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-104(4)(b)). Nebraska also has a putative father registry, which can matter if a child's biological father was never legally established.
• Home study: Nebraska waives the home study for stepparent adoptions (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-107).
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Nebraska typically take 3-6 months.

Cost: Court filing fees typically run $100-$250, and the total cost of a stepparent adoption you handle yourself is typically under $1,000. Hiring an attorney for the whole process commonly runs $3,000-$5,000+.

Where your situation may need extra checking: The Nebraska statutes we work from do not spell out special rules for particular family setups, so a few questions are best confirmed with the County Court clerk in your county or an attorney who knows Nebraska family law:

• You and the child's parent are not married.
• The child's other legal parent is unknown, cannot be found, or opposes the adoption.
• The child was conceived through a donor or surrogate, and you are unsure how the paperwork should describe the other biological parent.
• A prior court order already addresses custody or parentage.