How do I adopt an adult in Oregon?

You adopt an adult in Oregon by filing a petition in the Circuit Court in the county where you or the person being adopted lives, with written consent from everyone involved, and the court can grant it if it finds the adoption is fit and proper (ORS 109.329).

Who can adopt an adult. Any person may petition to adopt someone who is 18 or older or legally married (ORS 109.329(1)). Oregon sets no relationship requirement, no prior-contact requirement, no spouse-bar and no age-gap condition for adult adoption.

Where to file and residency. The petition goes to the Circuit Court. Either a petitioner or the person being adopted must have lived in Oregon continuously for six months before filing. File in the county where a petitioner or the adoptee lives.

Consent.

• The person adopting and the person being adopted each sign a written consent, filed with the petition.
• Birth parents do not consent in an adult adoption. The general consent section, ORS 109.301, applies to adopting a minor child.
• Whether the adoptee's spouse must consent is not something we can point you to in Oregon's adult adoption statute, so ask the Circuit Court clerk in your county or an attorney.

What the judge looks at. The court may grant the petition if it finds that each petitioner understands the significance and ramifications of the adoption and is not acting under duress, coercion or undue influence. It must also be satisfied that the adoption is fit and proper. The court may require notice to a petitioner's spouse, to a person living with a petitioner, and to a petitioner's adult children.

Home study and hearing.

• No home study is required for an adult adoption. The court may still appoint counsel or a visitor for either party.
• A hearing is up to the judge. The court may hold one, take testimony or hold a conference, so ask the clerk how your county handles it.

Timeline and cost. An adult adoption in Oregon typically takes about 4-8 weeks. The court filing fee typically runs $200-$350, and the total cost is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ when hiring an attorney. Confirm the exact fee with the clerk of your county's Circuit Court, because Oregon has 36 counties and each court publishes its own details.

When to get individual help. If your situation involves a dispute, a family member who objects, or questions about how the adoption affects inheritance or other legal relationships, talk to an attorney or the Circuit Court clerk about your specific facts. The statute describes what the court may do, but it can't tell you how a judge will view your particular circumstances.

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. You then file it 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 the package with a 100% court acceptance guarantee, and we've helped 1121 Oregon families and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001.