How do I adopt an adult in Texas?

To adopt an adult in Texas, an adult who lives in Texas files a petition in District Court (or a statutory county court with family-law jurisdiction) in their home county, the adult being adopted gives written consent, and both of you attend a hearing. Adult adoption is permitted in Texas, and it follows its own rules, separate from the process for adopting a child. Those rules begin at Tex. Fam. Code § 162.501.

Who can adopt. The petitioner must be an adult residing in Texas (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.501). The law does not state a relationship requirement or an age-gap condition. If you have questions about whether your particular situation qualifies, the District Court clerk in your county or an attorney can confirm.

If you are married. Your spouse must join the petition (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.503). The court may grant the adoption to only one spouse if that is requested (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.506).

Step by step

• Get the adult adoptee's written consent. This is required (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.504).
• Prepare the petition. It must be titled "In the Interest of ____, An Adult" (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.503).
• File in the right court. That is the District Court, or a statutory county court with family-law jurisdiction, in the county where the petitioner lives (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.502). Texas has 254 counties, and the clerk in yours can tell you the exact filing fee. Court filing fees typically fall in the $200-$500 range.
• Attend the hearing. A hearing is required, and both the petitioner and the adult adoptee must attend. For good cause, the court may waive attendance by written order (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.505).

Biological parents. The adult adoption provisions do not require the biological parents' consent. Keep in mind that an adopted adult cannot inherit from or through their biological parents (Tex. Fam. Code § 162.507). This is worth discussing as a family, and an attorney can explain how it affects your estate planning.

Home study. The adult adoption provisions do not address a home study. Ask the District Court clerk in your county whether anything further is expected in your court.

How long it takes. Adult adoptions in Texas typically take about 4-8 weeks.

After the adoption. Questions about updating records go to the Texas Vital Statistics Unit, and the clerk can tell you what paperwork you will need from the court.

Contested or unusual situations. If someone is likely to object, or your circumstances are complicated, a Texas family law attorney can advise you on that specific issue.

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 cost is $349 for one adult adoptee, and you receive court-ready documents within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions.