How do I adopt an adult in Arkansas?

To adopt an adult in Arkansas, you file a petition for adoption in the Circuit Court (the probate division) in the right county, the adult you want to adopt and their spouse (if they have one) sign written consent, and you both attend a short hearing where the judge decides whether to grant the adoption. Arkansas law says "Any individual may be adopted" (A.C.A. § 9-9-203), and an adult is anyone 18 or older.

Who can adopt. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-9-204, the adopter can be:

• A husband and wife together
• An unmarried adult
• The unmarried father or mother of the person being adopted
• A married person alone, if the spouse is a parent who consents, the spouses are legally separated, or the court excuses the spouse from joining (for example, because of prolonged unexplained absence, incapacity, or unreasonably withholding consent)

If your situation involves an excused spouse, ask the court clerk or an attorney how the judge would handle it.

Consent. A petition to adopt an adult may be granted only if written consent has been signed by the adult and the adult's spouse. Because the adult is making their own choice, no fixed child-consent age applies.

Where to file. The case goes to the Circuit Court in the county where you (the petitioner) or the adult being adopted lives, or is in military service, when the petition is filed or granted. Arkansas has 75 counties, and the clerk in yours can tell you about local forms and procedures.

Residency. Arkansas has no minimum residency period for this (A.C.A. § 9-9-205(a)). For an adult adoption, the physical presence of either the petitioner or the adoptee is enough to give the court jurisdiction.

Home study. Unless the judge directs otherwise, no home study is required when the person being adopted is an adult (A.C.A. § 9-9-212). The judge may still order one to help decide whether the adoption is in the best interest of everyone involved.

The hearing. A hearing is required, and both you and the adult being adopted must attend unless the court excuses either of you for good cause. The judge may issue a final decree right away, or an interlocutory decree that becomes final automatically after 6 to 12 months.

Timeline and cost. Adult adoptions in Arkansas typically take about 4-8 weeks. Court filing fees generally run $150-$300, and the total is typically under $1,000 when you prepare the paperwork yourself. Hiring an attorney commonly costs $3,000-$5,000+. Your county clerk can confirm the exact fee.

After the decree. If you want records such as a birth certificate updated, the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records can explain what they require.

Situations that depend on facts. If anyone objects, if a spouse can't be reached, or if you have questions about inheritance or other effects of the adoption, check with the Circuit Court clerk or an attorney. The answer depends on your specific facts.

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 Arkansas county. You then file it yourself, without an attorney. The price is $349 for one adult adoptee, and your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back every package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee, and we have helped 814 Arkansas families.