Can I adopt my stepchild who is a newborn or infant in Arizona?

Yes. If you are an adult Arizona resident married to your stepchild's parent, you can pursue a stepparent adoption of a newborn or infant through the Superior Court in your county (A.R.S. § 8-103). The Arizona requirements we work from don't set out a separate process for babies. If you're unsure how your baby's age affects timing, the Superior Court clerk in your county can confirm it.

Residency: You must be an Arizona resident, but A.R.S. § 8-103 sets no minimum period. You don't have to wait out a residency clock before filing.

Consent and the other biological parent: This is where a newborn's situation matters most.

• Arizona handles termination of the other parent's rights separately from the adoption itself. You'll either have that parent's signed consent or file a motion to sever parental rights.
• Your spouse, the child's parent, must also consent to the adoption.
• Arizona recognizes abandonment after 6 months (A.R.S. §§ 8-531(1), 8-533(B)(1)). Whether that period can apply to a very young baby, or what happens if the other parent is unknown or contests, depends on your facts. Ask the Superior Court clerk or an attorney about that specific issue.
• If the other parent can't be found, Arizona allows service by publication when their location is unknown, after diligent efforts. The clerk can explain what counts as diligent.

The child's consent: Arizona's consent age for the child is 12 (A.R.S. § 8-106). A newborn or infant is well below that age.

Home study and background checks: The home study is waived (A.R.S. § 8-105). Arizona does require fingerprint clearance for adoption petitioners.

Birth certificate: Birth records are handled by the Arizona Office of Vital Records. Ask them or the court clerk what to file once your adoption is final.

Time and cost:

• Stepparent ad