Can I adopt my stepchild if I'm in the military stationed in Alaska?

Yes, being stationed in Alaska does not stop you from adopting your stepchild. Alaska has no minimum residency period, so you don't have to live in the state for a set length of time before you file. Stepparent adoptions are handled by the Superior Court.

Where to file: Alaska's adoption statute refers to the superior court for the district where the petitioner or the child lives or is in military service. Ask the Superior Court clerk in your area which court is right for your case, especially if you have moved or expect to move soon.

What the process looks like in Alaska:

• Court: The petition is filed in Superior Court.
• Child's consent: Alaska's consent age is 10. A child who is 10 or older has a consent role under Alaska Stat. § 25.23.040.
• Home study: Alaska waives the home study for stepparent adoptions under Alaska Stat. § 25.23.100. The clerk can tell you if the court wants anything additional in your case.
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Alaska typically take 3-6 months.

The other parent: Adoption generally involves the child's other legal parent, and the situation differs from family to family. If the other parent agrees, that is one path. If the other parent is absent or has not been involved, Alaska's abandonment period is 6 months under Alaska Stat. § 25.23.050(a)(1)-(2). Whether your facts meet that standard, or whether the case is contested, is a question for an attorney or the Superior Court clerk. The same goes if you don't know where the other parent is.

Military-specific questions: A few practical points depend on your situation, so the clerk can confirm them:

• How the court handles scheduling if you have orders, training or a deployment coming up.
• Whether you can take part in a hearing in a particular way if you are away.
• The current filing fee and any other court costs.

Your installation's legal assistance office may also be able to answer general questions, though an attorney should advise you on anything specific to your case.

After the adoption: Once the court grants it, the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics is the agency to contact about records.