What are the requirements for stepparent adoption in Washington?

Washington allows a stepparent to adopt a stepchild through the Superior Court in your county, and the requirements are fairly straightforward. The rules come from Revised Code of Washington Chapter 26.33. Here is what to know:

• Who can adopt: Any legally competent person who is 18 or older may be an adoptive parent (RCW 26.33.140(2)). As a stepparent, you are married to the child's parent. Washington doesn't specify a minimum marriage duration.
• Residency: Washington has no minimum residency period (RCW 26.33.030). You file in the Superior Court, and the clerk in your county can confirm local filing details.
• Consent of the other parent: The other legal parent can consent to the adoption. If that parent isn't involved and won't consent, abandonment under RCW § 26.33.120 may be the route. Washington sets no fixed number of months for abandonment. The court looks at the parent's overall conduct toward the child.
• Your child's consent: A child who is 14 or older must consent (RCW § 26.33.160). For a younger child, the clerk or an attorney can tell you how the court handles it.
• Background check: Washington requires criminal background checks for adoptive parents.
• Home study: The home study rules are in RCW 26.33.220. Washington allows courts to waive the home study in some stepparent adoptions, but you shouldn't assume it will be waived in your case. Ask the Superior Court clerk whether it applies to you.
• Hearing and timeline: A stepparent adoption in Washington typically takes 3-6 months from filing to finalization.

Cost: Court filing fees typically run $200-$500, and the total cost of a stepparent adoption is typically under $1,000 when you handle the paperwork yourself. Hiring an attorney for the whole process is often $3,000-$5,000+.

When the other parent isn't involved: If the other parent has been out of the picture for years but never formally gave up their rights, abandonment is often the legal question. Sporadic child support doesn't by itself settle it.