In this answer · 4 sections
Texas adoption filing charges depend on the county and case type. Minor adoption with termination, adult adoption, citation and service can have different charges. Ask the correct clerk for an itemized current total before filing rather than relying on the old county estimates in this answer.
Harris County example
The Harris County District Clerk's civil and family fee schedule lists adult adoption at $350. It lists adoption or adoption with termination for one child at $365, excluding the listed $15 Central Adoption Registry fee and $2 certified SDPW fee; the schedule also notes an extra $1 for each additional child in that case category. Those entries are Harris County charges, not statewide prices.
The schedule separates the applicable filing fee from process issuance and service charges. Confirm which entries apply to your actual petition. Publication, certified copies and other required work can add costs beyond the new-suit fee.
Questions to ask your clerk
- Which adoption case type should the petition use?
- Is the case a new filing or part of an existing proceeding?
- Are registry or additional-adoptee charges included in the quoted amount?
- What citation, notice and service charges apply?
- What do certified copies cost?
- Is a fee-waiver application available, and how is it decided?
Keep our price separate
SA360's standard document preparation is $349 for the first adoptee and $99 per additional adoptee in the same case. That payment does not pay the clerk or establish the amount of court costs. Obtain a case-specific attorney quote if a contested termination or other legal issue requires representation.
Before you budget
Check the fee schedule's current version and confirm it with the county where the petition belongs. Do not choose a court solely because a different county has a lower fee; residence, venue and existing jurisdiction must be addressed first.
Read the national cost worksheet, visit Texas's state guide, or start the questionnaire with the actual filing county.
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