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

You must be over 18 to adopt in Tennessee. The statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-115, says "any person over eighteen (18) years of age may petition," and it says "over 18," not "18 or older." That is the age requirement for the adult who files the petition, whether that is a stepparent or someone else.

Where you file. Adoption petitions are filed in Chancery or Circuit Court. Tennessee has 95 counties, so you would file in the county where you live, such as Davidson (Nashville), Shelby (Memphis), Knox (Knoxville), Hamilton (Chattanooga) or Montgomery (Clarksville). The clerk of that court can confirm local filing details.

Age gap between you and the child. We found no age-gap requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 36, Chapter 1. If your situation involves a small age difference, or you have any doubt, ask the Chancery or Circuit Court clerk in your county or an attorney.

Other requirements that come with being the petitioner. Age is only one piece. For a stepparent adoption, you should also know:

• Residency: Tennessee has no minimum residency period, but you must live in the state when the petition is filed (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-115).
• Your spouse: The petition includes your spouse's consent to the adoption. Tennessee doesn't set a minimum marriage length, though courts generally prefer to see a stable relationship.
• Home study: It is waived in stepparent adoptions (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-116).
• The child's consent: A child who is 14 or older must consent (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-117).
• The other parent: Their consent or the termination of their rights is a separate question. Tennessee has a four-month abandonment period (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-113), but whether it applies depends on your facts. If the other parent is contesting, or you can't find them, talk to the court clerk or an attorney about your specific situation.

If you are thinking about adopting an adult. Tennessee allows an adult to be adopted. The person adopting must still be over 18, and a living, competent spouse must join the petition. The adult being adopted gives sworn, written consent, and no home study is needed.

Timeline and cost. A stepparent adoption in Tennessee typically takes 3-6 months, and an adult adoption typically takes 4-8 weeks. Court filing fees generally run $150-$350, and the total cost when you file on your own is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ when hiring an attorney.

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.