How do I adopt an adult in Michigan?

You adopt an adult in Michigan by filing a petition in the Family Division of Circuit Court, with the adult's written consent, a court investigation, and notice to the adoptee's parents. Michigan law lets a person petition to "adopt a child or an adult" under MCL § 710.24(1), so adult adoption is permitted.

Who can adopt and be adopted: The Michigan provisions reviewed set no relationship, disability, or age-gap condition for adult adoption, and the definition of "adoptee" covers a person "regardless of whether the individual is a child or an adult" (MCL 710.22(a), (j), (m)). If your situation involves an unusual age difference or relationship, ask the court clerk or an attorney to confirm how it applies to you.

Step-by-step overview:

• File in the right county. The petition can be filed in the county where you live or where the adoptee is found, among other options. Michigan has no minimum residency period for this.
• Get the adult's consent. The adult being adopted must consent (MCL 710.43(3)). Consent from anyone else is not required.
• Include your spouse if you're married. A married petitioner generally files together with their spouse. The court may allow a married person to adopt an adult without the spouse joining if all interested parties consent (MCL 710.24(1), (2)(a)).
• Notify the adoptee's parents. The adoptee's parents are "interested parties" and must be served notice, unless their rights were already terminated or released, or they consented. Their consent is not required, but notice is.
• Complete the investigation. The court directs a full investigation when an adoption petition is filed, and an adult adoption order may be entered only after the written report is filed (MCL § 710.46). The only waiver in the statute, for a foster placement of 12 months or more, does not fit typical adult adoptions, so plan on the investigation.
• Order from the court. Once the adoptee has consented, the report is filed, and notice has been served, the court may enter the order. MCL 710.56(5) does not expressly require a hearing for adults, but your county's practice may differ, so ask the clerk whether one will be scheduled.

Timeline and cost: Adult adoptions in Michigan typically take about 4-8 weeks. Filing fees are set by the court, so the Family Division of Circuit Court clerk in your county can give you the current amount and any local filing rules. Michigan has 83 counties, and local procedures can vary.

When to get extra help: If a parent objects, can't be located, or your spouse won't join the petition, the outcome depends on the specific facts. Talk to the court clerk or an attorney about that issue before filing.

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 county, which you file yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for one adult adoptee, and court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back every package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee.