Can a same-sex stepparent adopt in Nevada?

Yes. A same-sex stepparent can pursue a stepparent adoption in Nevada by filing in the District Court, following the same steps described below.

Where you file: Stepparent adoptions are handled by the District Court. Nevada has 17 counties, including those that serve Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas and Sparks. The District Court clerk in your family's county can confirm local forms, filing fees and procedures.

What the process looks like in Nevada:

• Residency: Nevada has no minimum residency period before you file (NRS 127D.120(1)).
• Child's consent: If the child is 14 or older, the child's consent is part of the process (NRS 127D.110(1)(c)).
• The other parent: Adoption generally involves either the other legal parent's consent or a court process addressing that parent's rights. Termination of those rights is handled as a separate step. Abandonment is one ground, and Nevada uses a 6-month period for it (NRS § 128.012).
• Home study: A home study is waived for stepparent adoptions (NRS chapter 127D).
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Nevada typically take about 3-6 months.

Things that depend on your family's facts: Some situations call for individual guidance. Examples include a parent who cannot be found, a parent who objects, or a couple who are not married. Nevada law on these points should be confirmed with the District Court clerk in your county or with a family law attorney who can look at your specific circumstances. The same goes for questions about how your marriage, a prior relationship, or a parentage order affects your case.

If you run into problems: If anyone in the process treats your family differently because you are a same-sex couple, write down what happened and when. Then talk with an attorney or an LGBTQ+ family law advocacy organization about your options.

Your family deserves clear answers: Your sexual orientation is not what the Nevada steps above turn on. They focus on the parent-child relationship, the consent of the people involved, and the paperwork the court needs.