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

Yes! Military families can absolutely pursue stepparent adoption in West Virginia. There are some special considerations:

Residency: If you're stationed in West Virginia, you typically meet the 0-month residency requirement. Military orders assigning you to West Virginia generally establish residency.

Special military benefits:

• Many military installations have legal assistance offices that can help with adoption paperwork at no cost (in addition to our document service)
• The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) may provide protections if the biological parent is also in the military
• Once adopted, the child becomes an official military dependent with access to TRICARE, commissary, PX, and other benefits

Process is the same:

• Filed in West Virginia Circuit Court
• Timeline: 3-6 months
• Our cost: $349

We've helped many military families complete their adoptions. Frequent moves make legal parentage even more important.