Does the biological parent need to consent to adult adoption in Alaska?

No. In Alaska, a biological parent does not have to consent to the adoption of an adult. Alaska Statute 25.23.050(a)(7) makes parental consent unnecessary when the adoptee is 18 or older. The consents that matter are the adult's own and, if the adult is married, their spouse's.

Who signs what

Section .040(b) requires written consent from the adult being adopted and the adult's spouse, or provides a guardian/conservator route for an incapacitated adult. Section .050(a)(9) lets the court waive an adoptee spouse's consent in the circumstances it lists; if you need that waiver, ask for it in the petition.

The adopting person's marriage is covered separately by .020. A married petitioner adopting without their spouse needs to fit one of its listed provisions. In a stepparent adult adoption the biological parent is often also the petitioner's spouse, so that person may sign in the spouse role even though no parental consent is needed.

The official P-420 consent form records the adult's marital status and explains the parent-child relationship being created. P-415 covers a parent, spouse or guardian; complete only the role that applies.

Notice works the same simple way

Section .050(b) generally says hearing notice need not go to a person whose consent is unnecessary or has already been filed, subject to .100. For an adult adoption, .100(i) has the court direct notice to a person whose consent is required but hasn't been given.

So a biological parent who is only a parent ordinarily needs neither to consent nor to receive hearing notice in an adult case. Follow the petition's service instructions and any order the judge issues for the people who do have a role, and keep copies and proof of delivery.

Signing the consent

P-420 lets an adult sign before a notary or court clerk. (A minor adoptee signs before a judicial officer or special master instead.) Leave the signature blank until the notary or clerk is present.

The form also explains withdrawal: written cancellation within ten days, and after that, before the decree, only with the judge's permission. Section .070 governs. Once the ten days pass, the consent is settled unless the judge allows a withdrawal.

Privacy

Section .150 provides closed hearings and restricts inspection and disclosure of adoption records. Family members can still hear about the adoption the ordinary ways, so decide who will receive papers, where mail goes, and how and whether you'll share the news.

Before filing, list each person's role, the consent or waiver needed, the form and witness, and any service the court orders. For most adult adoptions that list is short: the adult, any spouse, and the petitioner.

Continue with the Alaska adult filing guide, later-life planning guide and adoption direction guide.

Primary reference: Alaska's adoption statutes, .020, .040(b), .050, .070, .100(i) and .150. The consent forms linked above give the court's signing instructions.