Arkansas requires 0 months of state residency before you can file a stepparent adoption petition (A.C.A. § 9-9-203). This means you (or your spouse) must have lived in Arkansas for at least 0 months before filing. If you recently moved to Arkansas, you may need to wait until you meet this requirement. The residency clock starts from when you established your home in the state — it doesn't have to be from the date you officially changed your driver's license.
Stepparent adoption in Arkansas at a glance
- Court
- Circuit Court
- Residency before filing
- No minimum period
- Typical timeline
- 3-6 months
- Court filing fee
- $150-$300
- Child must consent at age
- 12
- Home study
- Usually waived for stepparents
- Arkansas families we've helped
- 814
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