My teenager wants to be adopted — how do we handle their consent in Maine?

In Maine, your teenager's consent is required, and because the consent age is 12, a teen is old enough to give it themselves (18-C M.R.S. § 9-302). A teen who is eager to be adopted is a good place to start, and your job is mainly to make sure their consent is clear, voluntary and properly documented for the Probate Court.

How teen consent works in Maine:

• Maine sets the child consent age at 12, so your teenager's own agreement is part of the adoption.
• The consent goes to the Probate Court in your county as part of your filing.
• Talk with your teen beforehand about what adoption means: a legal parent-child relationship with their stepparent. Their consent should be an informed choice, not just enthusiasm.
• Ask the Probate Court clerk in your county how they handle a teen's consent, including whether your teen should attend the hearing and what the judge may ask. Procedures can vary by court, so the clerk is the best source.

If your teen is already 18: Your teen would be an adult adoptee, which is a different, shorter route. The typical timeline for an adult adoption in Maine is 4-8 weeks, compared with 3-6 months for a stepparent adoption of a minor.

Other pieces that matter alongside consent:

• Residency: Maine has no minimum residency period for filing (18-C M.R.S. § 9-301).
• Home study: It is waived for stepparent adoptions in Maine (18-C M.R.S. § 9-304), so you don't need to plan for one.
• The other legal parent: Your teen's wishes don't settle everything. If the other biological or legal parent is involved, absent or opposed, the outcome depends on your facts. Maine addresses abandonment with a 6-month period (18-C M.R.S. § 9-204; 22 M.R.S. § 4002(1-A)), but whether it applies to your family is a question for an attorney or the court clerk.
• Name questions: If your teen wants a new last name or middle name, ask the clerk how to include that in the paperwork.
• Court fees: The Probate Court clerk in your county can tell you the current filing fees.

Ways to involve your teen:

• Let them read through the questions with you so they understand each step.
• Ask them what the adoption means to them, and listen to the answer. If their feelings are mixed, give them time before filing.
• Plan a small celebration for the hearing day, since many families like to mark the occasion.