What are the requirements for stepparent adoption in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a stepparent adoption is filed as an intrafamily adoption in the District Court, and the main requirements are a petition, your spouse's consent, a sworn statement of financial responsibility, and either the other parent's involvement or a showing of abandonment. The rules come from Louisiana Children's Code Title XII. Here is how they fit together.

Court and filing: You file a Petition for Intrafamily Adoption in District Court. Louisiana has 64 parishes, so the District Court clerk in your parish can confirm local filing details such as the exact forms and procedures they use.

Residency: Louisiana has no minimum residency period before you can file (La. Ch.C. Art. 1180). The clerk can confirm any domicile details for your situation.

Spouse's consent and financial responsibility: Your spouse, the child's parent, consents to the adoption. The paperwork also includes a sworn statement of financial responsibility.

The other biological parent: Whether that parent consents, cannot be found, or objects changes what your case looks like.

• If the other parent's rights are at issue because of abandonment, Louisiana addresses this in La. Ch.C. Art. 1245, which uses a 6-month period.
• If the other parent's location is unknown, Louisiana allows service by publication after due diligence. Personal service by the sheriff is also allowed.
• If the other parent contests the adoption, or you are unsure whether abandonment applies, that depends on your facts. Please check with the District Court clerk or an attorney about your specific situation.

The child's wishes: Louisiana does not require the child's consent. The court asks for and considers the wishes of a child 12 or older (La. Ch.C. Art. 1253(C)).

Home study: A home study is waived for stepparent adoptions in Louisiana (La. Ch.C. Art. 1252(A)). That removes a step that can add time and cost in other states.

Timeline: A stepparent adoption in Louisiana typically takes about 3-6