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

New Jersey does not require your teenager's consent to be adopted, but a child 10 or older attends the final hearing, and the court considers the child's wishes (N.J.S.A. § 9:3-49). So your teen's enthusiasm matters, and it becomes part of the process instead of a form to sign.

What this means for your family:

• There is no consent age and no consent form your teen must sign under New Jersey law.
• Your teen goes to the final hearing at the Superior Court in your county.
• The court takes your teen's wishes into account, so a teen who wants this adoption is a real strength in your case.

Preparing your teen for the hearing: The statute doesn't script the hearing, so exactly how the judge involves your teen is up to that courtroom. Your county's Superior Court clerk can tell you what to expect. In the meantime, you can:

• Talk openly with your teen about what adoption changes legally and what stays the same.
• Let your teen know the judge will be interested in their wishes, so they can answer honestly in their own words.
• Ask whether your teen wants to share why this matters to them.
• Plan the day together, with family, photos and a celebration afterward.

Names: New Jersey allows a name change as part of the adoption at no additional court cost. Many teens have strong feelings about this, so it's worth asking early whether your teen wants to keep their name or change it.

If your teen is hesitant, or someone disagrees: If your teen is unsure, or a parent or relative disagrees, the outcome depends on the specific facts. New Jersey law on how the court handles those situations should be confirmed with the Superior Court clerk or an attorney. The same goes for a situation where the other legal parent's role is unclear. The law does address abandonment by the other parent (the period is 6 months, N.J.S.A. § 9:3-46), but whether it applies to you is a question for an attorney.

What to expect on timing and cost:

• Stepparent adoptions in New Jersey typically take 3-6 months.
• Court filing fees typically run $200-$350.
• The total for a self-filed adoption is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ for 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 then file it yourself without an attorney. Court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. The price is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, and we back it with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 1204 New Jersey families, and your teen is welcome to help you fill out the questions.