What are the adoption laws in Washington DC?

Adoption in Washington DC is governed by District of Columbia Code Title 16, Chapter 3, and cases are heard in the Superior Court. For stepparent adoptions, the main points are below.

Where you file. Washington DC has a single district, so every petition goes to the Superior Court. Under D.C. Code § 16-301(b), there is no minimum residency period for the stepparent adoption process described here.

Who may petition. D.C. Code § 16-302 says any person may petition the court for a decree of adoption. If the petitioner is married, the spouse generally joins the petition. A spouse who is the child's natural parent only needs to consent. Questions about a minimum age for the adopting parent should go to the Superior Court clerk.

Consent.

• Consents must be in writing and acknowledged before an authorized officer (D.C. Code § 16-304).
• A child who is 14 or older has a consent role under D.C. Code § 16-304.
• Washington DC does not treat termination of parental rights as a separate proceeding in a stepparent adoption.

Abandonment. D.C. Code § 16-304 uses a six-month abandonment period. Whether a particular parent's situation meets that test depends on the facts. If the other legal parent is unknown, cannot be found, or objects, talk to an attorney or the Superior Court clerk about your situation before filing.

Home study. The court's investigation and report are waived in stepparent adoptions under D.C. Code § 16-308(a)(2). Ask the clerk whether any background-check steps still apply to your case.

Timeline. A stepparent adoption in Washington DC typically takes 3-6 months. The exact schedule depends on the court's calendar and on whether every consent is in order.

Adult adoption. Washington DC allows it. D.C. Code § 16-303 says a person, whether a minor or an adult, may be adopted. Under D.C. Code § 16-304, a person over 18 may be adopted with their own consent if the court is satisfied the adoption should be granted. Points to know:

• The adult being adopted must consent, in writing and acknowledged.
• The parental-consent rules in § 16-304 apply only to adoptees under 18.
• A petitioner's spouse joins the petition, or only consents if the spouse is the adoptee's natural parent (D.C. Code § 16-302).
• The court's investigation and report are waived for an adult adoptee under D.C. Code