Can a step-grandparent adopt a grandchild in Alaska?

Alaska's data doesn't address step-grandparent adoption by name, so whether you can adopt your step-grandchild depends on your family's facts, and the Superior Court clerk in your borough or an attorney should confirm that point. Adoption petitions in Alaska are filed in the Superior Court, and the Alaska facts below relate to your question.

If your grandchild is a minor:

• Court: The petition goes to the Superior Court. The clerk can tell you the current filing fee.
• Residency: Alaska has no minimum residency period for adoption.
• Child's consent: Alaska Stat. § 25.23.040 sets the age at which a child's own consent is part of the process: age 10.
• Abandonment: Where a parent has abandoned a child, Alaska uses a period of 6 months under Alaska Stat. § 25.23.050(a)(1)-(2). Whether that applies to your family is a question for an attorney or the clerk.
• Home study: Alaska waives the home study in stepparent adoptions under Alaska Stat. § 25.23.100. Whether it is waived for a step-grandparent should be confirmed with the clerk.
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Alaska typically take 3-6 months. A step-grandparent case may differ, so ask the clerk.
• Parents' rights and consents: Which parents must consent, or whether any parent's rights must be ended, depends on the facts. This is especially true if a parent is absent, unknown, or opposes the adoption, so speak with an attorney about that.

If your grandchild is an adult (18 or older):

• Who may be adopted: "Any person may be adopted" (AS 25.23.010). The sections we reviewed set no relationship, disability, or age-gap condition for adult adoption.
• Who may adopt: A husband and wife together, an unmarried adult, or the unmarried father or mother of the person being adopted. A married person may adopt without the spouse joining only in limited circumstances listed in the statute. Examples are when the spouse is the adoptee's parent and consents, or when the spouses are legally separated (AS 25.23.020). No minimum age or age gap for the adopter is stated there.
• Consent: The court may grant an adult adoption only with written consent signed by the adult and the adult's spouse. For an incapacitated adult, the guardian or conservator signs instead (AS 25.23.040(b)).
• Home study: Waived unless the court directs otherwise (AS 25.23.100).
• Residency and venue: There is no separate residency requirement for adult adoption. The petition is filed in the Superior Court for the district where you or the adoptee lives, or is in military service, when the petition is filed or granted.
• Hearing and timeline: A hearing is contemplated. The court has notice given to anyone whose consent is required but who hasn't consented. Adult adoptions in Alaska typically take 2-4 weeks.

Next steps: Because your situation involves a step-grandparent, call the Superior Court clerk in your borough and describe your family. If a parent's consent or rights are in question, an attorney can advise you on that issue.