How do I adopt an adult in Missouri?

You adopt an adult in Missouri by filing a petition in the juvenile division of the Circuit Court, getting the adult's written consent, and attending a court hearing where the judge decides whether to finalize the adoption. Typical adult adoptions here take about 4-8 weeks.

Who may file. Under RSMo § 453.010, "any person desiring to adopt another person as his or her child" may petition. The statute names no minimum age for the adopter and no required age gap. The court approves the adoption as the welfare of the person being adopted may demand. If your situation raises a question beyond this wording, the Circuit Court clerk or an attorney can confirm it.

Consent. When the person being adopted is 18 or older, their written consent alone is sufficient (RSMo § 453.030.1, .2, .3, .10). The parental consents in that section apply only when the adoptee is under 18. If you are married, your spouse may join the petition. If your spouse does not, the court may order joinder after a hearing, and it may dismiss the case if that order isn't followed.

Residency and venue. Missouri has no minimum residency period for adoption petitioners. The county where you live is one of the venue options for filing. A petition may not be dismissed just because the petitioner isn't domiciled in certain of the listed venues. The clerk in your county can confirm exactly where to file.

Home study. The mandatory investigation applies to the adoption of a child under eighteen, so the statute does not require it for an adult (RSMo § 453.070.1).

Hearing. A hearing is required, and the court decides whether to finalize the adoption (RSMo § 453.080.1). Out-of-state petitioners may appear by video if their attorney appears in person. Some of the findings listed for hearings are written with children in mind, so ask the clerk how your judge handles an adult case.

Typical steps:

• Confirm the adult adoptee is willing and will sign written consent.
• Prepare the petition and supporting documents for your county's Circuit Court.
• File with the clerk and pay the filing fee, typically $200-$500.
• Attend the hearing, then receive the court's decision.
• For questions about records after finalization, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records.

Cost. Court filing fees run about $200-$500, and the total typically comes to under $1,000 when you prepare the paperwork yourself. Attorney-handled adoptions commonly run $3,000-$5,000+.

When to get extra help. If anyone is likely to object, if you are unsure how the court will view your particular circumstances, or if inheritance or other legal consequences matter to you, talk with an attorney or the Circuit Court clerk about that specific issue. These questions depend on your 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 Missouri 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. We have helped 971 Missouri families, and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001.