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

Yes, you can start a stepparent adoption in Maine for a stepchild who was born in another country. The case is filed in the Probate Court in your county, and the Maine steps below are the ones to plan around. A few points that are specific to a foreign birth are best confirmed with the clerk, as noted below.

Where and how it's filed: Maine has 16 counties, and each has a Probate Court. You file in the Probate Court for your county. The adoption law is in Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C, Article 9.

Residency: Maine has no minimum residency period for filing (18-C M.R.S. § 9-301). You do not need to have lived in the state for a set length of time first.

Your child's consent: If your stepchild is 12 or older, their consent comes into play (18-C M.R.S. § 9-302). The child's country of birth does not change this age in the Maine statute we work from.

The other birth parent: If the other birth parent lives abroad or is out of contact, the situation depends on the facts. Maine's abandonment period is 6 months (18-C M.R.S. § 9-204; 22 M.R.S. § 4002(1-A)). Whether it applies to your family, and how the court handles a parent in another country, is something to confirm with the Probate Court clerk in your county or with an attorney.

Home study: Maine waives the home study in stepparent adoptions (18-C M.R.S. § 9-304). That means no social worker visit is required for the stepparent adoption itself.

Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Maine typically take 3-6 months.

Points specific to a foreign birth:

• Birth records: You will likely need your child's original birth certificate. Ask the Probate Court clerk whether the court wants a certified English translation.
• Updated birth certificate: The Maine Office of Vital Records handles birth records in Maine. Ask them whether and how a record can be issued or updated after the adoption for a child born abroad. The court's adoption order is the legal document that finalizes the adoption.
• Immigration and citizenship: If your stepchild's immigration status or path to citizenship is a concern, speak with an immigration attorney. That is separate from the Probate Court process, and the answer depends on your child's individual circumstances.
• Court fees: Filing fees vary, so the clerk in your county can tell you the current amount.

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. Your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and we back them with a 100% court acceptance guarantee.