How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Nevada?

You get a copy of your Nevada adoption order from the clerk of the District Court in the county where the adoption was finalized, and you can ask for certified copies once the judge has signed the order. Certified copies carry the court's stamp or seal, and that is usually what agencies want to see.

Asking for copies when the order is signed:

• Ask the court clerk whether certified copies can be made for you at the courthouse, or whether they will be mailed.
• Ask how much each certified copy costs and what forms of payment the clerk accepts. Fees and processing times can differ from county to county, so the clerk is the right person to confirm them.
• Ask how many copies to request. Think about every place that may want an original certified copy, such as vital records, insurance, school and passport offices, and request enough that you are not sending your only copy away.

Getting copies later:

• Contact the District Court clerk in the county where your adoption was finalized. Nevada has 17 counties, and each has its own court clerk's office.
• Have your case number, the names on the case and the approximate date of finalization ready.
• Ask the clerk what they need from you, such as a written request, identification or a fee, and how long it takes.

Where the order is used afterward:

• Nevada Office of Vital Records: This is the agency to contact about the child's birth record after an adoption. Ask what documents and forms they need, and whether they want a certified copy of the order.
• Health insurance: Ask your plan administrator what proof they need to add your child, and how soon.
• School: The school office can tell you whether it needs a copy of the order or only your child's new name and information.
• Passport: Check the application instructions for which court documents must be included.
• Your family records: Keep at least one certified copy somewhere safe, such as with birth certificates and other important papers.

Timing: A stepparent adoption in Nevada typically takes about 3-6 months from filing to finalization, so plan on requesting your copies near the end of that period. If your situation is unusual, for example a contested case or an unknown parent, ask the District Court clerk or an attorney how it might affect your paperwork.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. For $349 for the first child (plus $99 for each additional child), you answer questions online and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You receive court-ready documents within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and you file them yourself without an attorney. Our 100% court acceptance guarantee applies to the package, and we have helped 518 Nevada families, along with 34,000+ families nationwide since 2001.