How long does adoption take?

Great question! The timeline for stepparent adoption in Rhode Island is very manageable.

Once you file the documents with the court:

• Minor child adoption: About 3 months from filing to finalization
• Adult adoption (18+): Even faster — typically 4 to 6 weeks

Before filing, here's what happens:

• You complete our questionnaire (takes about 15 minutes)
• We prepare all your customized documents within 24 hours
• You review, sign, and file them with the Rhode Island Family Court

The background check usually takes 3-4 weeks to come back, which happens during that 3-month period, so it doesn't delay things.

The finalization hearing is often the best part — it's more of a celebration than a scary court appearance. Many Rhode Island courts now do these virtually (phone or video), which makes it even easier.

So start to finish, if you're ready to begin, most families are finalizing their adoption about 3-4 months from the day they first contact us. That's really not long at all to make your family officially complete!

Are you thinking about adopting a minor child or an adult stepchild?