How do I adopt an adult in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, you adopt an adult by signing an authentic (notarial) act of adoption together with the adult. If you are not the spouse or surviving spouse of the adult's parent, the court must authorize the adoption first, on a joint petition after a hearing (La. Civ. Code art. 212, La. Civ. Code art. 213, La. Civ. Code art. 214).

Who can be adopted: The law sets different paths depending on your relationship.

• Stepparent or surviving stepparent: If you are the spouse or surviving spouse of the adult's parent, you can adopt without court authorization, using the authentic act alone. No hearing is held.
• Everyone else: You and the adult file a joint petition. The court may authorize the adoption if it finds, after a hearing, that it is in the best interest of both of you.
• Other limits: The adult adoption articles do not state a minimum age for the adopter or an age gap. Ask the District Court clerk in your parish whether anything else applies to your situation. The adoptee must be an adult, meaning 18 or older.

Consents and signatures: Several signatures matter here.

• You and the adult both consent in the authentic act.
• Your spouse and the adoptee's spouse, if either of you is married, must sign the act "for the purpose of concurrence." Without that concurrence, the act is absolutely null.
• Nobody can sign through an agent. No party or concurring spouse may consent by procuration or mandate.
• These articles do not require the birth parents' consent.

Residency and home study: The adult adoption articles state no residency period. They also do not address a home study. Your clerk can confirm whether anything local applies.

Filing and when it takes effect: The act, and any court judgment, is filed with the clerk of court of any parish and recorded in the conveyance records. The adoption takes effect when the act and any judgment are filed for registry. If they are filed within 5 days of the last signature, it takes effect as of that last signature (La. R.S. 9:462). See also La. R.S. 9:461 and La. R.S. 9:463. For a court-authorized adoption, the articles refer only to "the court," so ask the District Court clerk where your petition should be filed.

Timeline and cost: Adult adoptions in Louisiana typically take about 4-8 weeks. Court filing fees generally run $200-$400, and the total cost is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ when hiring an attorney. Confirm the exact fee for your petition with the clerk.

Steps to take:

• Confirm whether you are in the stepparent category or need court authorization.
• Make sure every required spouse is available to sign the act for concurrence.
• Sign the authentic act before a notary.
• If a hearing is required, file the joint petition and attend the hearing.
• File the act, and any judgment, with the clerk of court so it is recorded.