Can I adopt multiple stepchildren at once in Arkansas?

Yes, you can adopt more than one stepchild in Arkansas, and our service is set up to prepare the paperwork for several children together. Each child is listed in the package we prepare for your county's Circuit Court. How the court schedules the hearing for siblings is up to your county, so the Circuit Court clerk can confirm that.

What stays the same for every child:

• Court: Your case goes to the Circuit Court in your county. Arkansas has 75 counties, and filing practices can differ a little from one to the next.
• Residency: Arkansas sets no minimum residency period for the petition (A.C.A. § 9-9-205(a)).
• Home study: It is waived (A.C.A. § 9-9-212). Ask the clerk whether the judge in your county wants anything additional.
• Timeline: A stepparent adoption in Arkansas typically takes 3-6 months.

Where each child may differ:

• Consent: Arkansas sets the child-consent age at 12 (A.C.A. § 9-9-206). If your stepchildren are different ages, this may apply to one child and not another, so look at each child separately.
• The other biological parent: Stepchildren don't always share the same other parent. If you need that parent's consent or are relying on abandonment, Arkansas uses a 12-month period (A.C.A. § 9-9-207). Each parent's situation depends on its own facts. If a parent can't be found, might object, or hasn't been in contact, talk to the clerk or an attorney about that specific issue.

Costs to expect:

• Court filing fee: In Arkansas this is typically $150-$300. Ask the clerk whether the fee changes when more than one child is on the petition.
• Total typical cost: A stepparent adoption in Arkansas usually comes to under $1,000 when you file on your own, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ with an attorney.