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

Yes. You can start a stepparent adoption in New Hampshire for a stepchild who was born in another country, by filing in the Circuit Court in your county. The steps follow New Hampshire Revised Statutes Chapter 170-B, and a few points specific to a foreign birth are worth checking early.

What stays the same:

• Court: The petition is filed in the Circuit Court.
• Residency: New Hampshire sets no minimum residency period for filing (RSA 170-B:15, I).
• Your child's consent: If your stepchild is 14 or older, their consent is part of the process (RSA 170-B:3, I).
• Home study: It is waived in stepparent adoptions (RSA § 170-B:18).
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions here typically take about 3-6 months.

The other parent: A child's birthplace doesn't change the fact that the other legal parent must either consent or have their rights ended. In New Hampshire, ending parental rights is handled as a separate step. One ground is abandonment, which has a 6-month period under RSA § 170-C:5. If the other parent lives abroad, can't be located, or may object, how notice is given and how the court handles it depends on your facts. The Circuit Court clerk or an attorney can advise you on that.

Documents from another country: You will almost certainly need the child's foreign birth certificate. Whether the court requires a certified English translation, or any other proof of the child's identity or parentage, is a question for the Circuit Court clerk in your county.

Birth certificate after the adoption: The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration handles requests for new birth records. Whether it can issue a New Hampshire certificate for a child born abroad, and what it requires, should be confirmed directly with that office. Ask them before you plan around it.

Immigration and citizenship: An adoption order is a court matter. It is separate from your child's immigration status or citizenship. If your stepchild's status is uncertain, or you want to know how the adoption may affect citizenship, talk with an immigration attorney. Do this before or alongside your court filing.

Filing costs: Court fees vary, so the Circuit Court clerk in your county can give 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 are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and they come with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 114 New Hampshire families.