Can I adopt my stepchild if the biological father lives in another country and we live in Washington DC?

Yes, you can petition for a stepparent adoption in the Superior Court in Washington DC even if the child's biological father lives in another country, but his consent, or the question of abandonment, will need to be addressed in your case.

Residency: Washington DC has no minimum residency period for this kind of petition (D.C. Code § 16-301(b)). If you and your stepchild live in the district, you are not waiting out a residency clock.

The father's consent or abandonment: Where the father lives is only part of the picture. What matters to the court is whether he consents or whether the legal grounds for adopting without his consent are met. Two points from Washington DC law apply here:

• Consent: A parent's consent is normally part of the adoption paperwork. If he is willing to cooperate, the consent must be put in writing. Ask the Superior Court clerk how a consent signed abroad should be signed and verified.
• Abandonment: Washington DC uses a 6-month period for abandonment (D.C. Code § 16-304). Whether a father's absence meets that standard depends on the facts, such as contact and support. Only the court can decide that, and an attorney can advise you on your situation.

Washington DC does not treat termination of the father's rights as a separate court case. The question is dealt with inside the adoption itself.

What depends on your facts: These situations turn on details, so the clerk or an attorney should confirm the specifics:

• The father knows about the adoption but has not responded.
• You do not know where he is.
• He objects to the adoption.
• You need to give him formal notice in a foreign country.

The Superior Court clerk can explain how notice to someone abroad is handled and what the filing fees are. An attorney can advise on a contested case or an unknown address.

Your stepchild's consent: If your stepchild is 14 or older, the child's own consent is part of the process (D.C. Code § 16-304).

Home study: The home study is waived for stepparent adoptions in Washington DC (D.C.