Home study
Required
New York does not waive the court investigation for stepparent adoptions, and we prepare your side of the paperwork.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 112(7); § 116
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Complete New York package
1,119 New York families helped since 2001
Make Your New York Family Official.New York stepparent and adult adoption, done for you, with court-ready documents for the Family Court or Surrogate's Court in 24-48 hours.
We guide your family step by step, from your first questions to the day the judge signs your decree, so you never face the paperwork alone.
$349 complete New York package · documents in 24–48 hours
100% court acceptance, money-back guarantee · Unlimited revisions · No account needed to start
Residency wait
None required
New York sets no residency period. You file in the county where you live.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 115(2)Child's consent
Over age 14
A child over 14 gives their own consent to the adoption.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111Abandonment period
6 months
A parent who has abandoned the child for 6 months does not have to consent.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111(2)
100%Court acceptance
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Why New York families choose us
We make your New York adoption simple, fast and affordable.
SimpleA 15-minute questionnaire. We do the rest and send your packet ready to sign and file.
Court approvedPrepared for your New York Family/Surrogate's and backed by our 100% court acceptance guarantee.
1,119 New York families helpedOver 34,000 families nationwide since 2001. We have seen every situation New York courts see.
Save thousands$349 for the complete package, without attorney fees.
- A New York adoption specialist handles your case.
- We stay with you from filing to the new birth certificate.
- Unlimited revisions and real people on the phone, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MST.
Start Your New York AdoptionNo account needed to start
Four stages. One court. About 3-6 months.
In New York, stepparent adoptions go through the Family Court or Surrogate's Court in your county, and most families finish in 3-6 months.
Day one · OnlineTell us about your family
Day one · Online
Tell us about your family
Answer simple questions about you, your spouse, your stepchild and the other parent. We turn your answers into New York forms. There is no legal jargon and no guessing.
New York Domestic Relations Law Article 7Within 24-48 hoursFile with your county court
Within 24-48 hours
File with your county court
Your court-ready documents arrive in 24-48 hours. You file them with the clerk of the Family Court or Surrogate's Court in the county where you live. The clerk sets the filing fee.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 115(2)After filingThe other parent signs or the court decides
After filing
The other parent signs or the court decides
If the other parent will sign, we prepare the consent. If not, we prepare the notice and abandonment papers. A child over 14 also gives consent.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111About 3-6 monthsHearing, decree and new birth certificate
About 3-6 months
Hearing, decree and new birth certificate
You appear before the judge or surrogate, and the court signs your final decree. We then help you request the new birth certificate from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records.
New York State Department of Health Vital RecordsDoes the other parent have to agree?
No. Courts want a two-parent home for your child, and most families we help finish without the other parent's consent. In our experience, about 80% of the stepparent adoptions we have completed went forward without the other parent's consent.
They agree
If the other parent is willing, the process is simple. They sign a consent, and we prepare it for you.
- We prepare the consent form for the other parent
- A child over 14 signs their own consent
- Signed consents are filed with your petition
They won't sign, or can't be found
If the other parent will not sign or cannot be found, New York law still gives your family a path forward.
- A parent who has abandoned the child for 6 months does not have to consent
- The other parent receives notice, and we prepare the papers that show the 6 months of abandonment
Notice is routine, and we prepare it for you. In New York, termination is not a separate case. It is handled inside the same adoption case.
N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111(2)Whether the other parent signs or has abandoned the child for 6 months, New York gives your family a clear path, and we prepare every form for it.
One flat price for your New York paperwork
A New York family pays $349 for the complete package, plus $99 for each additional child, and the court's filing fee is paid separately.
The same decree, the same court, without attorney fees.
Start for $349The same decree, the same court, without attorney fees.
What New York families tell us
★★★★★
Hello again: I just want to say that your organization is making a completely overwhelming process so much easier. I even spoke to someone on the phone today that was so helpful I was tempted to call her back and thank her. I’m sure I will have more questions as this process goes on, but the timeliness and support I have gotten so far has helped me to see past all the chaos of the paperwork and reminded me why I’m doing this….because I love the child I want to adopt as if she were already my own. Thank you for your compassion and expertise. May you have a wonderful holiday. Sincerely,
★★★★★
Wanted to inform you that our adoption was finalized and thank you for your service.
★★★★★
Just a quick note to say thanks for all your help. I was scared at the beginning, but your customer service department was great and made the process so easy for me. I will recommend you to anyone who needs this service
What arrives in 24–48 hours
Your New York packet, in filing order, with instructions for your clerk.
See all 6 documents
- Petition for adoption prepared for the Family Court or Surrogate's Court in your county
- Consent forms for the other parent, or notice and abandonment papers if they will not sign
- Consent form for a child over 14
- Stepparent, spouse and child information forms, including the paperwork for the court's home study investigation
- Hearing documents and a proposed order for the judge or surrogate
- Final decree of adoption and your new birth certificate request to the New York State Department of Health Vital Records
Adopting an adult
Adult adoption is allowed in New York
New York lets an unmarried adult, a married couple together, or two unmarried adult partners together adopt another person. The statute we reviewed has no relative, stepchild or age-gap condition. The adoptee consents if over 14, unless the judge or surrogate dispenses with it, and the parents' consent is not required for an adult adoptee. You file in the Family Court or Surrogate's Court of the county where you live. If you do not live in New York, you file in the county where the adoptee lives. The adopter, the adoptee and everyone whose consent is required appear before the judge or surrogate, and the court may excuse the adoptee from appearing. Adult cases often finish in 2-4 weeks.
Who can adoptSingle adults, couples or partners
Adoptee consentRequired if over 14, unless the judge or surrogate dispenses with it
Parents' consentNot required for adults
TimelineOften 2-4 weeks
Three steps. That's the whole thing.
Our detailed New York instructions make the process simple, and we are a phone call away at every step.
1
AnswerTell us about your family in our 15-minute questionnaire. Save and come back any time.2
Review & signYour complete packet arrives in 24–48 hours with step-by-step filing instructions.3
FileFile with your clerk. We stay with you through the hearing, the decree and the new birth certificate.
Talk to a New York adoption specialist first.
Not sure which route fits your family? Call us. Real people, no pressure, and we will tell you what New York courts will want to see.
(855) 924-0450Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MST
All 62 counties
All 62 New York counties covered
New York has 62 counties, and you file in the Family Court or Surrogate's Court of the county where you live. We prepare your documents for families from New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse and every county in between.
New York CityBuffaloRochesterYonkersSyracuse+ every county
Adoption AI Assistant
New York stepparent and adult adoption
Have questions about adopting your stepchild? Our AI assistant draws on experience from over 34,000 completed adoptions to give you accurate, helpful answers. Ask anything — it's free and confidential.
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What New York families ask us
How do I adopt my stepchild in New York?
You file a petition in the Family Court or Surrogate's Court of the county where you live. A spouse may adopt the other spouse's child under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 110. We prepare your documents in 24-48 hours, and most cases finish in 3-6 months.
Can I adopt my adult stepchild in New York?
Yes. New York allows adult adoption under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law 110, and the statute we reviewed has no stepchild or age-gap condition. The adoptee must consent if over 14, unless the judge or surrogate dispenses with it, and adult cases often finish in 2-4 weeks.
How much does a stepparent adoption cost in New York?
Our complete package is $349, and each additional child is $99. The county clerk sets the court filing fee, so call the clerk to confirm it. We have helped 1,119 New York families with this process.
What if the other parent refuses to sign or can't be found in New York?
Your case can still go forward. A parent who has abandoned the child for 6 months does not have to consent under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111(2). In our experience, about 80% of the stepparent adoptions we have completed went forward without the other parent's consent, and we prepare the notice.
Is a home study required for a stepparent adoption in New York?
Yes. New York does not waive the court's investigation for stepparent adoptions under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 112(7); § 116. We prepare your paperwork so the process stays clear and manageable.
Does my child have to agree to the adoption in New York?
A child over 14 must give consent under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 111, unless the judge or surrogate dispenses with it. We prepare the child's consent form with the rest of your packet.
Does a stepparent adoption end child support in New York?
Child support going forward ends when the adoption is final, because the other parent's legal duty ends. Past-due support depends on New York law. We can explain how this works when you call.
How do I get a new birth certificate after adopting in New York?
After the court signs your final decree, you request an amended birth certificate from the New York State Department of Health Vital Records. We prepare that request for you. The effect of the adoption is set out in N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 117.
Go deeper on New York adoption
Every guide is written from New York law.
How do I adopt an adult in New York?How do I adopt my stepson or stepdaughter in New York?How old do you have to be to adopt in New York?How much does adult adoption cost in New York?Is a home study required for stepparent adoption in New York?How much does stepparent adoption cost in New York?How do I get a copy of the adoption order in New York?
All New York adoption guides → · Compare requirements in every state →
Ready to make it official in New York?
Join the 1,119 New York families we have helped. Call (855) 924-0450 and start your paperwork today.
Start Your New York Adoption · $349Prefer to talk first? (855) 924-0450, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MST