What is an abandonment affidavit for adoption in Indiana?

An abandonment affidavit in Indiana is a sworn written statement that describes how the other biological parent has stayed out of your child's life, and it supports your request to the Circuit or Superior Court to move forward with the adoption without that parent's consent.

Why it matters: Indiana courts can proceed without the other parent's consent when that parent has failed to maintain meaningful contact or support. The affidavit is where you put the facts behind that on paper. The abandonment period Indiana uses is 6 months, under Ind. Code § 31-19-9-8. Because this is the point a judge looks at closely, the clearer and more specific your statement, the better.

What the affidavit usually covers:

• The date of the last known contact between the other parent and your child
• What the absence has looked like, such as no visits, calls, cards or messages
• How long the absence has lasted, measured against the 6-month period
• Whether the parent has provided financial support or has stayed involved in other ways
• Any efforts you or your spouse made to keep the door open for contact

Who typically signs it: Usually your spouse, the child's parent, since that person has firsthand knowledge of the other parent's involvement. The statement is made under oath, normally in front of a notary. You may add a supporting statement of your own about what you have seen. Your county's Circuit or Superior Court clerk can confirm any local signing or formatting preferences.

Keep it honest and specific: Dates, examples and plain facts carry more weight than general statements like "he was never around." Include anything that cuts the other way, such as occasional contact or partial support, because a sworn statement needs to be accurate.

When the situation is more complicated:

• The other parent objects: If the other parent contests the adoption, the outcome depends on the specific facts. An attorney can advise you on that.
• You don't know where the other parent is: Indiana has procedures for giving notice by publication when a parent cannot be located after reasonable efforts. Ask the clerk in your county how to document those efforts.
• Back child support is owed: Unpaid support does not prevent an adoption in Indiana, though the adoption may not erase existing support obligations. Check with the court about your situation.

What happens next: Once the court has your paperwork, Indiana requires a final hearing. These are typically brief and positive. Stepparent adoptions in Indiana commonly take about 3-6 months from start to finish. Court filing fees generally run $200-$500, depending on your county, and there are 92 counties in Indiana, so your clerk can give you the exact amount.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online about your family, including the other parent's absence, and we prepare the full court document package for your county, including the abandonment affidavit written from your answers. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child and $99 for each additional child, and your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions. We back them with a 100% court acceptance guarantee, and we have helped 1207 Indiana families.