In this answer · 3 sections
In Rhode Island, stepparent adoptions are filed in Family Court. The specific court location depends on which county you live in.
How to find your court:
- Determine which county you live in (your home address determines this)
- Find the Family Court for that county
- File your petition at that courthouse
Rhode Island has 5 counties, each with its own court system. Our document package is customized for your specific county's requirements, forms, and procedures.
What we include in your $349 package:
- All forms specific to your county
- The courthouse address and filing instructions
- Any supplemental local forms required
- Filing fee information for your specific court
What to do when you get to the courthouse:
- Go to the clerk's office (usually on the main floor)
- Tell them you are filing a Petition for Stepparent Adoption
- Hand them your signed documents
- Pay the filing fee ($100–$400)
- Get your stamped copies back with the case number
You do NOT need an appointment — most courts accept filings during regular business hours.
We've helped families file in every county in Rhode Island. Start at stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register.
Stepparent adoption in Rhode Island at a glance
- Court
- Family Court
- Residency before filing
- No minimum period
- Typical timeline
- 3-6 months
- Child must consent at age
- 14
- Home study
- Usually waived for stepparents
- Rhode Island families we've helped
- 26
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