How old do you have to be to adopt in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you generally must be at least 21 to adopt a minor child, but there is no age minimum when you are adopting your spouse's child as a stepparent. That is the rule in 10 O.S. 7503-1.1, and it is why many stepparents under 21 can still move forward.

Adopting a minor child. The age rule depends on your situation:

• A husband and wife adopting jointly must both be at least 21.
• An unmarried person must be at least 21.
• A married person who is legally separated must be at least 21.
• No age minimum applies when one spouse adopts and the other spouse is the child's parent or relative.

What this means for stepparents. If you are married to the child's parent and adopting that child, the 21-year minimum does not apply to you. You still have to meet the other steps in the process. Your petition goes to the District Court, and the court requires things like consent forms (or grounds for waiver), your spouse's consent, a filing fee, and OSBI (state) and national background checks. In Oklahoma, a stepparent adoption typically takes about 3-6 months, and the home study is waived under 10 O.S. 7505-5.2(B).

Adopting an adult. Oklahoma also allows one adult to adopt another, with court approval, under 10 O.S. 7507-1.1. For adult adoption, the statute asks only that the adopter be an "adult person." Adulthood is generally 18, but the District Court clerk in your county can confirm how the court applies that to your situation. Other points for adult adoption:

• The court must find the adoption is in the best interests of the people involved.
• The adoptee must consent, and so must the adopter's spouse, if there is one, in writing filed with the court.
• A hearing is required before the decree is entered.
• You file in the District Court of the county where the adoptive parents live.
• Adult adoptions typically take about 4-8 weeks.

Age difference between adopter and child. Whether Oklahoma requires a certain age difference between the adopter and the person being adopted is not something we can point you to a rule for. Ask the District Court clerk in your county, or an attorney if your situation is complicated.

When to get individual help. If the other parent's consent is in question, the other parent can't be found, or someone may contest the adoption, the answer depends on your facts. The court clerk or an 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 price is $349 for the first child (or for one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child. Court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and our 100% court acceptance guarantee applies. We have helped 1193 Oklahoma families, and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001. Typical total cost, including the court filing fee of $150-$300, is under $1,000.