What are Maine's adoption laws?

Maine adoption is governed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C, Article 9. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 0 months (18-C M.R.S. § 9-301)

Court: Probate Court

Child Consent: Age 14+ (18-C M.R.S. § 9-302)

Abandonment: 12 months no contact (18-C M.R.S. § 9-201)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (18-C M.R.S. § 9-304)

Timeline: Minor: 3-6 months | Adult: 4-8 weeks

Maine has 16 counties, each with its own Probate Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 151+ families in Maine navigate these laws successfully.