Can I adopt my stepchild in Nevada if I was previously married to someone else?

Yes, you can ask the Nevada District Court in your county to approve a stepparent adoption of your stepchild even if you were married before. A previous marriage does not by itself stop you from filing. The questions below are the ones that matter for your family.

What the process looks like in Nevada:

• Court: You file in the District Court in your family's county. Nevada has 17 counties, including those that serve Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas and Sparks.
• Residency: Nevada has no minimum residency period under NRS 127D.120(1).
• Home study: It is waived for stepparent adoptions under NRS chapter 127D.
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Nevada typically take 3-6 months.

Where your earlier marriage may come into the picture:

• If your previous spouse is not involved with your stepchild, your history with them generally has no bearing on the paperwork. The focus is on your stepchild, your current spouse and the child's other parent.
• If your previous spouse is the child's other parent, which is not the same as being your stepchild's parent through your current spouse, the consent and abandonment questions below become important.
• Whether the court wants documents about your earlier marriage, such as a divorce decree, depends on the court and your situation. The District Court clerk in your county can tell you what that court expects.

Consent and abandonment:

• The child's consent: Under NRS 127D.110(1)(c), Nevada sets the child's consent age at 14.
• The other legal parent: Their consent is usually a central question. Nevada recognizes abandonment after 6 months under NRS § 128.012. Ending a parent's rights is handled as a separate step from the adoption itself.
• Contested or unclear situations: If the other parent objects, cannot be found or has not been in contact, the answer depends on the specific facts. Speak with the District Court clerk or an attorney about that issue before you file.

Questions to confirm with the clerk:

• Filing fees, which vary by court
• Whether any proof of your marital history is needed in your county
• How hearings are scheduled in your county