My stepchild has a disability and cannot give consent — how does adoption work in Washington?

In Washington, you file in Superior Court, and the consent rules depend on your stepchild's age and on whether they have a legal guardian. Washington law on how a judge handles a young person who cannot understand or give consent is not something we can lay out here. Please confirm that point with the Superior Court clerk in your county or with an attorney who knows your child's situation.

Who must consent:

• The adoptee, if they are 14 or older (RCW 26.33.160(1)).
• The adoptee's legal guardian, if there is one (RCW 26.33.160(1)).
• A parent, only when the adoptee is under 18 (RCW 26.33.160(1)).

If your stepchild is 14 or older and has a legal guardian, the guardian is part of the consent picture. How that applies to your child is a question for the clerk or an attorney.

If your stepchild is an adult: Washington allows any person to be adopted, regardless of age (RCW 26.33.140). There is no relationship or age-gap condition. If you are married, your spouse must join the petition (RCW 26.33.150(4)). The preplacement and post-placement reports are not required when the adoptee is 18 or older (RCW 26.33.220). Adult adoptions typically take about 4-8 weeks. The court holds a hearing, with notice to everyone whose consent is required unless they waive it in writing, and the decree is entered after the hearing (RCW 26.33.240).

If your stepchild is under 18: Ask the clerk what home study steps the court will expect in your case (RCW 26.33.220). A stepparent adoption typically takes about 3-6 months.

If the other parent is not involved: Washington sets no fixed number of months for abandonment. It depends on the parent's overall conduct (RCW § 26.33.120). Whether that fits your family depends on the facts. If the other parent's consent is in question, speak with an attorney about that issue.

Residency and where to file: Washington has no minimum residency period. You file in the Superior Court of the county where you live or where the adoptee is domiciled (RCW 26.33.030). Washington has 39 counties, and your county clerk can explain local filing steps.

Why families pursue it: Adoption can bring legal decision-making security, Social Security survivor benefits, and the emotional security of a unified family. These can matter a great deal when a child has ongoing care needs.

Cost: Court filing fees run $200-$500, and the total 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. You file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child or one adult adoptee, and $99 for each additional child. Court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, backed by a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 1104 Washington families, and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001.