StepParent Adoption 360
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One of my stepchildren's father consents but the other's doesn't — can I still adopt both in Arizona?

1 min readHelping families since 2001Arizona
In this answer · 2 sections

Yes, absolutely. The adoption of each child is evaluated based on that child's biological father, not as a package deal.

Your situation is very common:

  • Child 1: Father consents → simpler, faster process for this child
  • Child 2: Father does not consent → abandonment proceedings under A.R.S. § 8-106 if he has been absent 6+ months

Both adoptions can proceed simultaneously in Arizona Superior Court. The child with the consenting father may finalize slightly faster, but both can be filed at the same time.

What we prepare:

  • Consent documents for the cooperating father
  • Abandonment affidavit for the absent/refusing father
  • Separate service of process documents as needed
  • All other required Arizona court forms

Important: Having one father consent and another absent is extremely common in blended families. Courts see this regularly and handle it without issue.

Cost: $349 for the first child + $99 for the second = $448

Timeline: 4-8 months for both

Start at stepparentadoption360.com/portal/register — describe each child's situation and we handle the rest.

Stepparent adoption in Arizona at a glance

Court
Superior Court
Residency before filing
Must be an Arizona resident; A.R.S. § 8-103 sets no minimum period
Typical timeline
4-8 months
Court filing fee
$200-$350
Child must consent at age
12
Home study
Usually waived for stepparents
Arizona families we've helped
551

Full Arizona guide →

Turn what you learn into your next step

01Understand your situation

Start with this answer and the related questions below.

02Check the state rules

Use official sources and confirm local filing details with the court.

03Prepare with confidence

Save your answers in the portal or call our team for document help.

Published by Douglas Brown & the StepParent Adoption 360 team

Adoption document specialists · 25+ years of experience · 34,000+ families helped.

Page layout updated . Individual answers have different research histories. This is general information; court requirements and individual circumstances can differ. Document preparation service, not a law firm.

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