Home study
Waived
Vermont waives the home study in stepparent adoptions, so there is no social worker visit to schedule or pay for.
15A V.S.A. § 4-110(a)
Start today
$349
Complete Vermont package
87 Vermont families helped since 2001
Make Your Vermont Family Official.Vermont stepparent & adult adoption, done for you: court-ready documents for the Probate Court in 24-48 hours.
From your first phone call to the day the judge signs, we prepare every form and stay with your Vermont family all the way.
$349 complete Vermont package · documents in 24–48 hours
100% court acceptance, money-back guarantee · Unlimited revisions · No account needed to start
Residency
6 months
You file after meeting Vermont's 6 month residency rule, which we check with you on day one.
15A V.S.A. § 3-101(a)(1)-(2)Child's consent
Age 14 and up
A child who is 14 or older must consent to the adoption, and we prepare that form.
15A V.S.A. § 2-401Abandonment period
6 months
If the other parent has abandoned the child for 6 months, Vermont allows the adoption to go forward without consent.
15A V.S.A. § 3-504
100%Court acceptance
money-back guarantee
money-back guarantee
Why Vermont families choose us
We make your Vermont 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 Vermont Probate Court and backed by our 100% court acceptance guarantee.
87 Vermont families helpedOver 34,000 families nationwide since 2001. We have seen every situation Vermont courts see.
Save thousands$349 for the complete package, without attorney fees.
- A Vermont 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 Vermont AdoptionNo account needed to start
Four stages. One Probate Court. About 3-6 months.
Vermont sends stepparent adoptions to the Probate Court in your county, and it waives the home study, so the road is short and clear.
Day 1 · 15 minutesTell us about your family
Day 1 · 15 minutes
Tell us about your family
Answer a few plain questions about you, your spouse, your child and the other parent. We check the 6 month residency rule and map out your Vermont case. No home study is needed.
15A V.S.A. § 4-110(a)Within 24-48 hoursFile with your county Probate Court
Within 24-48 hours
File with your county Probate Court
Your court-ready documents arrive in 24-48 hours, with filing instructions for the Probate Court in your Vermont county. You sign, file, and pay the fee the clerk sets.
15A V.S.A. § 3-101(a)(1)-(2)After you file · Consent or noticeThe other parent signs or is notified
After you file · Consent or notice
The other parent signs or is notified
If the other parent agrees, they sign a consent. If not, we prepare the notice. Vermont's 6 month abandonment rule lets the case go forward without a signature, and your child signs too if 14 or older.
15A V.S.A. § 3-504Month 3-6 · Decree dayDecree and new birth certificate
Month 3-6 · Decree day
Decree and new birth certificate
The judge signs the decree. We then help you request the new birth certificate from the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records.
Vermont Department of Health Vital RecordsDoes the other parent have to agree?
No. Courts want a two-parent home, 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 route is simple. They sign a consent form we prepare, and your Vermont case moves along quickly.
- We prepare the consent form for you
- The other parent signs it
- We include it in your Probate Court filing
They won't sign, or can't be found
If the other parent will not sign, or you cannot find them, Vermont gives you a clear ground to proceed.
- The other parent has abandoned the child for 6 months
- That abandonment is a ground to go forward without their consent
- No signature from the other parent is needed in that case
Notice to the other parent is a routine step, and we prepare it for you. Vermont does not make you file a separate termination case, so it is all part of the same adoption.
15A V.S.A. § 3-504Vermont keeps termination inside your one adoption case, and we prepare the notice. If the other parent has abandoned the child for 6 months, your case can go forward without their signature.
One flat price. No home study bill.
A Vermont family pays $349 for the complete package, plus $99 for each additional child, and the filing fee the court clerk sets.
The same decree, the same court, without attorney fees.
Start for $349The same decree, the same court, without attorney fees.
What families tell us
★★★★★
Saw the Judge this morning. She signed the documents. Everything went fine, and am glad this is all behind us now. Couldn't have done this without your help. Your continued support throughout the process is the only way I could have completed this adoption. You render a valuable service over there. Thanks.
★★★★★
I just wanted to let you know that Steve adopted Payton on Tuesday and I did give them your address to send a copy to. Thank you so much and when we get the paperwork and we have any questions we will give you a call.It was a very awesome day and we want to thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
★★★★★
We just completed our stepparent adoption, and I have to say, the entire process was easier than I ever imagined. The forms were thorough and well-prepared, and when I had a question, your team was quick to respond with clear and helpful answers. The judge finalized our case today, and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for everything you’ve done for our family.
What arrives in 24–48 hours
Your Vermont packet, in filing order, with instructions for your clerk.
See all 6 documents
- Petition for Adoption addressed to the Vermont Probate Court
- Other parent's consent, or the abandonment and notice papers if there is no consent
- Consent form for a child who is 14 or older
- Vermont residency statement and supporting information for the Probate Court
- Cover sheet and filing instructions for your county Probate Court
- Final adoption decree and request for a new birth certificate from the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records
Adopting an adult
Adult adoption in Vermont is permitted
In Vermont, an adult may adopt another adult or an emancipated minor, but may not adopt his or her spouse. The adopter and the adoptee file the petition together, and the only consent required is from the adopter's spouse. A petitioner must have lived in Vermont for at least 90 days immediately before filing. The Probate Division holds a hearing, and both petitioners appear in person unless excused for good cause.
WhoAdult or emancipated minor
ConsentOnly the adopter's spouse
Residency90 days in Vermont right before filing
HearingRequired, both usually appear
Three steps. That's the whole thing.
Our detailed Vermont 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 Vermont adoption specialist first.
Not sure which route fits your family? Call us. Real people, no pressure, and we will tell you what Vermont courts will want to see.
(855) 924-0450Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MST
All 14 counties
Filed in your county's Probate Court
Vermont has 14 counties, and your adoption is filed with the Probate Court that serves yours. We prepare your papers for families in Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, Essex Junction, Barre and every other Vermont town.
BurlingtonSouth BurlingtonRutlandEssex JunctionBarre+ every county
Adoption AI Assistant
Vermont 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.
Free & confidential · Not legal advice · Powered by AI
What Vermont families ask us
How do I adopt my stepchild in Vermont?
You file a petition with the Probate Court in your Vermont county, and we prepare every document for you. The other parent consents or receives notice, and then the judge signs the decree. Vermont stepparent cases usually take 3-6 months, and we have helped 87 Vermont families.
Can I adopt my adult stepchild in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont permits an adult to adopt another adult (15A V.S.A. § 5-101), and you file the petition together with your stepchild. The only consent required is from the adopter's spouse (15A V.S.A. § 5-103), and a hearing is held (15A V.S.A. § 5-106).
How much does a stepparent adoption cost in Vermont?
Our complete package is $349, plus $99 for each additional child. The Probate Court clerk sets the court filing fee, so call the clerk to confirm it. Vermont waives the home study, so that cost is $0.
What if the other parent refuses to sign or cannot be found in Vermont?
You can still adopt. In our experience, about 80% of the stepparent adoptions we have completed went forward without the other parent's consent. Vermont's rule is 6 months of abandonment (15A V.S.A. § 3-504), and we prepare the notice for you.
Does a Vermont stepparent adoption require a home study?
No home study is needed. Vermont waives it for stepparent adoptions (15A V.S.A. § 4-110(a)). You will not have a social worker visit your home.
Does my child have to agree to the adoption in Vermont?
If your child is 14 or older, yes. Vermont requires that child's consent (15A V.S.A. § 2-401). We prepare the consent form, and a younger child does not sign one.
Does adoption end child support in Vermont?
Yes, the duty to pay support going forward ends when the adoption is final. Whether past-due support is still owed depends on Vermont law.
How do I get a new birth certificate after a Vermont adoption?
After the judge signs the decree, you request the new birth certificate from the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records. We include the request in your packet and tell you what to send.
Go deeper on Vermont adoption
Every guide is written from Vermont law.
How do I adopt an adult in Vermont?How do I adopt my stepson or stepdaughter in Vermont?How old do you have to be to adopt in Vermont?How much does stepparent adoption cost in Vermont?How does termination of parental rights work in Vermont?How much does adult adoption cost in Vermont?Is there an age limit for adult adoption in Vermont?What is the residency requirement for adoption in Vermont?What records are sealed after adoption in Vermont?
All Vermont adoption guides → · Compare requirements in every state →
Ready to make it official in Vermont?
Your Vermont family is already a family. Call (855) 924-0450 and let us help the court say so.
Start Your Vermont Adoption · $349Prefer to talk first? (855) 924-0450, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MST