West Virginia requires 0 months of state residency before you can file a stepparent adoption petition (W. Va. Code § 48-22-201). This means you (or your spouse) must have lived in West Virginia for at least 0 months before filing. If you recently moved to West Virginia, 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 West Virginia at a glance
- Court
- Circuit Court
- Residency before filing
- No minimum period
- Typical timeline
- 3-6 months
- Court filing fee
- $200-$400
- Child must consent at age
- 12
- Home study
- May be required
- West Virginia families we've helped
- 252
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