What are Washington DC's adoption laws?

Washington DC adoption law is found in District of Columbia Code Title 16, Chapter 3, and stepparent adoptions are filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. DC is a single district, so you file in the same court whether you live in Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Adams Morgan or anywhere else in Washington.

Key rules for adopting a stepchild:

• Residency: DC sets no minimum number of months you must have lived here before filing. Jurisdiction is addressed in D.C. Code § 16-301(b), and the Superior Court clerk can confirm how it applies to your situation.
• Child's consent: The child consent age is 14 (D.C. Code § 16-304).
• Abandonment: D.C. Code § 16-304 uses a 6-month abandonment period. Whether it applies depends on your family's facts, so ask the court clerk or an attorney if the other parent's rights are an issue.
• Termination of parental rights: This is not a separate court case. It is handled within the adoption proceeding.
• Home study: Waived for stepparent adoptions under D.C. Code § 16-308(a)(2).
• Timeline: A stepparent adoption of a minor typically takes 3-6 months.

Who may petition: D.C. Code § 16-302 says any person may petition the court for a decree of adoption. No minimum age for the adopting parent is stated, and no age gap is stated either. If you are married, your spouse joins the petition. A spouse who is the adoptee's natural parent only needs to consent. Consents must be written and acknowledged before an authorized officer (D.C. Code § 16-304).

Adult adoption: Washington DC permits it. D.C. Code § 16-303 says a person, whether a minor or an adult, may be adopted. For someone over 18, the adoptee must consent (D.C. Code § 16-304). The court dispenses with the home study investigation for an adult (D.C. Code § 16-308), and the court decides after considering the petition, the consents and the evidence presented (D.C. Code § 16-309). Adult adoptions typically take 4-8 weeks. Some details, such as whether any background check requirements still apply, should be confirmed with the Superior Court clerk.

Things to confirm for your own case: Filing fees, local forms, hearing scheduling and any questions about an unknown or unwilling parent depend on your specific facts. The Superior Court clerk can confirm the procedural details, and an attorney can advise you on contested or complicated situations.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare your complete court document package. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child or for one adult adoptee, and $99 for each additional child.