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

Yes, you can pursue a stepparent adoption of a newborn or infant stepchild in Louisiana. It goes through the District Court in your parish as an intrafamily adoption under Louisiana Children's Code Title XII. If you have a question tied specifically to your baby's age, the District Court clerk in your parish can confirm how it applies.

Residency: Louisiana has no specific residency duration requirement (La. Ch.C. Art. 1180). You do not have to wait out a set number of months before filing.

Your child's consent: Louisiana does not require the child's consent (La. Ch.C. Art. 1253(C)). The court asks for and considers the wishes of a child 12 or older, which does not come into play with an infant.

The other biological parent: This is usually the biggest question with a newborn. Louisiana sets an abandonment period of 6 months (La. Ch.C. Art. 1245). Whether it applies to your baby depends on the facts, such as the child's age, the other parent's involvement, and whether that parent is known or can be found. If the situation is contested, or the other parent is unknown or hard to locate, talk to the District Court clerk or an attorney about your specific case. For a parent whose location is unknown, Louisiana allows service by publication after due diligence. Otherwise, personal service is made by the sheriff.

Home study: A home study is waived in Louisiana (La. Ch.C. Art. 1252(A)). That removes a step that can slow things down in other states.

What you will typically file:

• A Petition for Intrafamily Adoption
• A sworn statement of financial responsibility
• Your spouse's consent to the adoption

Your parish clerk can confirm any local filing details.

Timeline and cost:

• A Louisiana stepparent adoption typically takes 3-6 months.
• Court filing fees run about $200-$400.
• The total typical cost is under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ when hiring an att