Can I adopt my stepchild who was born in another country in Colorado?

Yes, you can start a stepparent adoption in Colorado for a stepchild who was born in another country. You file in the District Court in your county. The Colorado rules we work with don't set out a separate step based on where the child was born, so the clerk can confirm any extra paperwork a foreign birth may involve.

What stays the same in Colorado:

• Court: Your petition is filed in the District Court.
• Residency: Colorado has no minimum residency period (C.R.S. §§ 19-5-201, 19-5-204).
• Child's consent: A child who is 12 or older must consent to their own adoption (C.R.S. § 19-5-203). We include the consent forms in your package.
• Other parent's consent or abandonment: Colorado looks at abandonment of 12 months (C.R.S. § 19-5-203(1)(d)(II)). Where the other biological parent has had no meaningful contact for a year or more, Colorado courts routinely approve adoptions without that parent's consent.
• Home study: A home study is waived for stepparent adoptions (C.R.S. § 19-5-209(1)).
• Timeline: Plan on about 3-6 months.
• Name change: The child's name can be changed as part of the adoption at no additional cost.

Questions that depend on the foreign birth:

• Birth records: Your child's birth certificate was issued abroad. Ask the District Court clerk in your county whether the court wants a certified copy, an English translation, or other proof of birth.
• Other parent living abroad: If the other biological parent lives in another country, can't be found, or may object, the steps depend on your facts. Talk to the District Court clerk or an attorney about that specific situation.
• New birth record: After the adoption, contact Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Records to ask what record, if any, can be issued for a child born abroad.
• Immigration and citizenship: An adoption order and a child's immigration status are separate matters. If citizenship or immigration status is a concern, an immigration attorney can advise you on your child's situation.

Costs: Court filing fees in Colorado typically run $200-$500. Hiring an attorney commonly costs $3,000-$5,000+.