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

Yes. A previous marriage isn't among the qualifications Washington lists for an adoptive parent, which are being legally competent and 18 or older (RCW 26.33.140(2)). Washington also doesn't set a minimum length of marriage.

Your earlier marriage isn't what the adoption turns on. If your situation involves something specific, such as how or when a past marriage ended, the Superior Court clerk in your county or an attorney can confirm whether it matters in your case.

What the Superior Court looks at instead:

• Consent or abandonment: The other legal parent's consent is the usual route. If that parent has been absent, Washington has no fixed number of months for abandonment. It depends on the parent's overall conduct (RCW § 26.33.120).
• Your stepchild's consent: A child who is 14 or older must consent (RCW § 26.33.160).
• Background check: Washington requires criminal background checks for adoptive parents.
• Home study: The home study rules are in RCW 26.33.220. Whether one is required or waived depends on your family's circumstances, so ask the clerk about your case.
• Residency: Washington has no minimum residency period for you to meet before filing (RCW 26.33.030).

Contested or unclear situations: If the other parent may object, or you aren't sure where they are, the outcome depends on the facts. An attorney can advise you on that specific issue.

Cost and timing: Court filing fees typically run $200-$500, and the total cost is typically under $1,000. By comparison, attorneys commonly charge $3,000-$5,000 or more. Stepparent adoptions in Washington usually take 3-6 months.

Where to start: Gather the paperwork for your current marriage and your stepchild's information, and call the Superior Court clerk's office in your county with any questions about local filing steps. Blended families come in many shapes. You're already parenting this child, and adoption makes that relationship legal.

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 and $99 for each additional child. You receive court-ready documents within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and we back them with a 100% court acceptance guarantee.