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

In Washington, a teenager who is 14 or older must give their own consent to be adopted. That requirement is in RCW § 26.33.160, so your teen's "yes" is a formal part of the case, not just a nice extra.

How your teen's consent works:

• The consent rule applies to the person being adopted at age 14 and older (RCW 26.33.160(1)).
• Your teen's consent is separate from the consent of any legal parent. For an adoptee under 18, parental consent is also part of the picture (RCW 26.33.160(1)).
• If your teen is younger than 14, ask the Superior Court clerk in your county how the court takes a younger child's wishes into account.

The other parent's role: Because a teen under 18 is being adopted, the other legal parent's consent matters. If that parent isn't involved, Washington sets no fixed number of months for abandonment. The court looks at the parent's overall conduct (RCW § 26.33.120). Whether that applies to your family depends on your specific facts, so talk to the court clerk or an attorney about any contested or unclear situation.

The hearing: The Superior Court schedules a hearing and gives notice to everyone whose consent is required, unless they waive notice in writing. The decree is entered after the hearing (RCW 26.33.240). Ask the clerk whether your teen should attend and what to expect in your county's courtroom. Many families find it helpful to talk with their teen beforehand about what adoption means to them and why they want it.

Ways to involve your teen:

• Let them read the paperwork with you so they understand each form before signing.
• Let them help plan the day, including who to invite and how to celebrate.
• Ask the clerk how a name change is handled if your teen wants one.

Other Washington details that matter:

• There is no minimum residency period (RCW 26.33.030).
• Home study rules are in RCW 26.33.220. Washington doesn't automatically skip the home study for stepparent adoptions, but courts may waive it in some cases, so ask the clerk whether it applies to you.
• Court filing fees run about $200-$500, and the typical total cost is under $1,000. Hiring an attorney commonly costs $3,000-$5,000 or more.
• A stepparent adoption typically takes 3-6 months.
• If your teen's adoption is completed and you need an updated birth certificate, the Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics is the agency that handles those records.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm.