How do I adopt an adult in Georgia?

Who can be adopted: In Georgia, any adult may be adopted as long as the adult gives written consent. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-21(a) lists no other conditions. It sets no requirement that you be related, that the adult have a disability, that you have had a parent-child relationship before, or that there be an age gap between you.

Where you file: You file a petition in the Superior Court of the county where any petitioner or the adult being adopted lives. For adult adoption, residency only decides which county is the right venue. Georgia's bona fide residency rule in O.C.G.A. § 19-8-3 is written for adopting a child.

Consents:

• The adult being adopted must consent in writing.
• O.C.G.A. § 19-8-21(a) does not mention consent from a petitioner's spouse, the adoptee's spouse, or the adult's birth parents. If your situation involves any of them, confirm with the Superior Court clerk or an attorney whether anything more is needed.
• Your petition must state whether one or both of the adult's parents will be replaced by the adoption, and the final decree must say which.

Age rules: The adopter age rules in O.C.G.A. § 19-8-3(a)(1) and O.C.G.A. § 19-8-3(a)(2), a minimum age and an age gap, are written for adopting a child. O.C.G.A. § 19-8-21(a) sets no age or age-gap rule for adult adoption. The adoptee must be an adult, meaning 18 or older.

Home study: O.C.G.A. § 19-8-21(a) does not address a home study. It does require the court to examine each petitioner and the adult being adopted before entering a decree. Ask the clerk in your county whether any additional investigation is expected.

The hearing and timeline: The court may assign an adult adoption petition for hearing at any time. At the hearing, the judge examines each petitioner and the adult. Adult adoptions in Georgia typically take about 4-8 weeks.

Steps to follow:

• Confirm the adult is 18 or older and willing to sign a written consent.
• Decide which county to file in: where any petitioner or the adult lives.
• Prepare the petition, stating whether one or both of the adult's parents will be replaced.
• Pr