Adult adoption in Massachusetts allows a stepparent to legally adopt a stepchild who is 18 years or older. It's simpler than minor child adoption:
- Only the adult adoptee's consent is required — no biological parent consent needed
- No home study required
- No background check required
- Timeline: Typically 4-8 weeks from filing to finalization
- Cost: Same $349 document preparation fee
- Filed in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
Adult adoption creates a full legal parent-child relationship with inheritance rights, medical decision-making authority, and official family recognition. This is increasingly popular as blended families want to formalize long-standing relationships. Many families tell us this is one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences of their lives.
Adult adoption in Massachusetts at a glance
- Court
- Probate and Family Court
- Typical timeline
- 4-8 weeks
- Court filing fee
- Confirm the adult-adoption filing fee and any copy charges with your court.
- Massachusetts families we've helped
- 162
Adoption document specialists · 25+ years of experience · 34,000+ families helped.
Page layout updated . Individual answers have different research histories. This is general information; court requirements and individual circumstances can differ. Document preparation service, not a law firm.
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