Can I adopt my stepchild if we recently moved to South Carolina?

Yes, you can start a stepparent adoption in South Carolina right after moving, because South Carolina sets no minimum residency period. The statute on who may adopt, S.C. Code § 63-9-60(A), refers to a South Carolina resident but does not require you to live here for a set number of months first.

What this means for you:

• You do not have to wait out a residency clock before filing.
• Your petition goes to the Family Court in a South Carolina county. The state has 46 counties, and the clerk of the Family Court where your family lives can confirm exactly where to file.
• The statute does not spell out what proof of residency a particular court wants to see. Ask the clerk what that court expects, such as a lease or utility bill.

Other points that matter after a move:

• Consent from your spouse: South Carolina requires the spouse's consent to the adoption, along with a Petition for Adoption and a financial affidavit.
• Child's consent: A child who is 14 or older has a consent role under S.C. Code § 63-9-310.
• The other biological parent: If that parent is not consenting, the situation depends on your facts. South Carolina's abandonment period is 6 months under S.C. Code § 63-7-2570, but whether it applies to you is a question for an attorney or the Family Court clerk. The same goes for a parent whose location is unknown. The state allows service by publication when a location is unknown, but a contested or unclear case is worth individual legal advice.
• Home study: In a stepparent adoption, the home study is waived under S.C. Code § 63-9-1110(1).
• Birth certificates: If your child or spouse needs a South Carolina birth record, South Carolina DHEC Vital Records is the agency to contact.

Cost and timing: The Family Court filing fee typically runs $150-$350, and the total typical cost is under $1,000. Hiring an attorney commonly costs $3,000-$5,000+. A stepparent adoption in South Carolina typically takes 3-6 months. You will also attend a final hearing, where the judge finalizes the adoption.

If you are still settled-in-progress: Gather your marriage certificate, your stepchild's birth certificate, and any records about the other biological parent. Having them ready makes the process smoother whenever you file.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child, plus $99 for each additional child. Court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and we back them with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 942 South Carolina families, and more than 34,000 families nationwide since 2001.