I'm not married but the mother is willing to sign papers

Good news — Rhode Island is one of the states that allows stepparent adoption even if you're not married to the mother.

We've completed adoptions for unmarried couples in Rhode Island. The key is that the mother is willing to consent, which you have.

Here's what this means for your situation:

The process is essentially the same as a married stepparent adoption. The mother will sign consent documents allowing you to adopt her child. If the biological father has been absent (no meaningful contact for 6+ months in Rhode Island), the court can terminate his rights without his consent and approve your adoption.

A few things to know:

• You and the mother don't need to be married for this to work in Rhode Island
• The mother's consent is what you need from her side
• If the biological father has abandoned the child (6 months no contact), his consent isn't required
• The process and timeline are the same — about 3 months once filed
• Cost is the same: $349 for one child

This is sometimes called a "second parent adoption" when the couple isn't married, but in Rhode Island it follows the same legal pathway as a stepparent adoption.

Is the biological father involved in the child's life at all, or has he been absent? That will determine whether we proceed based on his abandonment or if he'd need to be served and given notice.

Also, how long have you and the mother been living together with the child? Some courts like to see stability in the household.