How long does stepparent adoption take in Washington?

Stepparent adoption in Washington typically takes about 3-6 months from the day you file with the Superior Court in your county until the adoption is finalized.

Adult adoption: If the person being adopted is 18 or older, the timeline is usually shorter, typically 4-8 weeks. For an adult adoptee, the court schedules a hearing with notice to everyone whose consent is required unless they waive it in writing, and the decree is entered after that hearing (RCW 26.33.240).

What happens before the clock starts: The time you spend gathering information and preparing paperwork comes before filing, so it isn't part of the 3-6 months. Washington has no minimum residency period (RCW 26.33.030), so you don't have to wait out a set amount of time in the state before you file. It also doesn't set a minimum length of marriage.

What can affect your timing:

• Consent: A child who is 14 or older must consent to the adoption (RCW 26.33.160(1)). Having that consent and the other required consents ready can keep things moving.
• The other parent: If the other parent isn't involved, abandonment is addressed in RCW § 26.33.120. Washington sets no fixed number of months for abandonment. It depends on the parent's overall conduct. How this applies to your family depends on your facts, so for a contested case or a parent you can't locate, ask the Superior Court clerk in your county or an attorney.
• Background checks and home study: Washington requires criminal background checks for adoptive parents. Home study requirements are in RCW 26.33.220, and the court may waive them in some stepparent situations. Whether yours applies is something the clerk in your county can confirm.
• Your county's calendar: Washington has 39 counties, and each Superior Court schedules hearings differently. The clerk can tell you how far out hearings are typically set.

Cost along the way: Court filing fees generally run $200-$500, and the total cost of a do-it-yourself stepparent adoption is typically under $1,000. Hiring an attorney for the whole process often costs $3,000-$5,000 or more.

Keeping it on track: Complete, accurate paperwork prepared for your specific county helps you avoid delays from corrections or refiling. Check with the clerk about any local forms or steps, and respond quickly if the court asks for something additional.

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. Court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. The price is $349 for the first child (or for one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child, and we back our work with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We've helped 1104 Washington families, and more than 34,000 families nationwide since 2001.