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

Yes. You can petition the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to adopt a stepchild who was born in another country. The Washington DC requirements below concern the parents, the child's age and the court process. Anything that depends on a foreign birth, such as foreign records or immigration, is worth confirming with the court clerk or an attorney.

What stays the same for a foreign-born child:

• Court: Your case is filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
• Residency: Washington DC sets no minimum number of months you must have lived there for a stepparent adoption (D.C. Code § 16-301(b)). The clerk can confirm how jurisdiction applies to your family.
• Child's consent: A child who is 14 or older must consent (D.C. Code § 16-304).
• The other biological parent: That parent's consent, or a showing of abandonment, still has to be addressed. Washington DC's abandonment period is 6 months (D.C. Code § 16-304). If the other parent lives abroad, cannot be found, or objects, the right approach depends on your facts. Talk to the court clerk or an attorney about that specific issue.
• Home study: It is waived for stepparent adoptions (D.C. Code § 16-308(a)(2)).
• Timeline: Stepparent adoptions in Washington DC typically take 3-6 months.

Points specific to a foreign birth:

• Birth documents: Gather the child's foreign birth certificate. Ask the clerk whether the court wants an English translation and in what form.
• Court fees: The filing fee is paid to the court. The clerk can tell you the current amount.
• New birth certificate: After the adoption, ask DC Department of Health Vital Records whether it will issue a new record for a child born abroad. Confirm this with them before you count on it. Keep certified copies of the adoption order either way.
• Immigration and citizenship: Whether the adoption affects your stepchild's immigration status or citizenship is a federal question that depends on the child's circumstances. An immigration attorney is the right person to ask before you file.

If your stepchild is now an adult: Washington DC allows adult adoption.