What are Missouri's adoption laws?

Missouri adoption is governed by Revised Statutes of Missouri Chapter 453, and stepparent adoptions are filed in the Circuit Court (the juvenile division handles adult adoptions) in your county. Missouri has 115 counties, each with its own Circuit Court clerk. Here is what that means for a stepparent adoption.

Residency: Missouri sets no minimum residency period (RSMo § 453.010). You do not need to have lived in the state for a set number of months before you file.

Who may adopt: The statute says "any person desiring to adopt" may petition. It states no minimum age for the adopting person.

Consent of an older child: The consent age is 14 (RSMo § 453.030). If your child is 14 or older, plan for their consent to be part of the process. Other consent questions, especially if the other legal parent is unknown, unwilling or cannot be found, depend on your facts. Ask the Circuit Court clerk or an attorney about your situation.

Abandonment: Missouri's abandonment period is 6 months (RSMo § 453.040). Whether it applies to your family depends on the details, so a contested or uncertain case is a good time to talk with an attorney.

Termination of rights: Stepparent adoption in Missouri does not involve a separate termination case.

Home study: The home study is waived for stepparent adoptions (RSMo § 453.070). Missouri does still require background checks for child safety, including a criminal background check for the stepparent.

Timeline: A stepparent adoption of a minor typically takes 3-6 months. A court hearing is part of finalizing the adoption.

Adult adoption: Missouri permits it. Key points:

• The adult being adopted gives written consent, and that consent alone is sufficient (RSMo § 453.030).
• If the person adopting is married, the spouse may join. If the spouse does not, the court may hold a hearing and order joinder.
• The mandatory investigation applies to children under 18, so the statute does not require it for adults (RSMo § 453.070).
• A hearing is still required, and out-of-state petitioners may appear by video if their attorney appears in person.
• Adult adoptions typically take 4-8 weeks.

Costs: Court filing fees run about $200-$500 depending on your county. The total typically comes to under $1,000 when you prepare and file the paperwork yourself. Hiring an attorney commonly costs $3,000-$5,000+.

After the adoption: For questions about birth records, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records.

Missouri requires specific forms and language to be correct before the court will accept a filing, so it pays to get the paperwork right the first time. For anything your county handles differently, or for a situation that depends on specific facts, the Circuit Court clerk in your county can confirm the details.