If you’re raising a child with your spouse and want to solidify your parental bond legally, stepparent adoption in Arizona is a powerful way to do so. It grants you full parental rights and makes your relationship with your stepchild permanent in the eyes of the law.
Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the process works.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
If a parent has abused or severely neglected a child—or failed to protect them from someone else who did—the court may find that the parent is unfit.
To adopt your stepchild in Arizona, you must:
- Be married to the child’s legal parent
- Have lived with the child for at least six months
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be able to pass a fingerprint-based background check
Step 2: Obtain Consent (or Seek Termination)
You’ll need consent from:
- The custodial (legal) parent (your spouse)
- The other biological parent—unless their rights are already terminated
If the other parent does not consent, you may need to file a petition to terminate their parental rights (see blog #2 for details).
Step 3: File the Petition
Your attorney will file a Petition for Stepparent Adoption with the Arizona Superior Court. This includes:
- Proof of your marriage
- Your background check results
- The child’s birth certificate
- Consent forms (or a request for termination)
Step 4: Home Visit (If Required)
Arizona courts may waive a full home study, but a social study or investigation is typically required unless you’ve lived with the child for a significant time.
Step 5: Court Hearing and Finalization
Once the paperwork is complete and any objections are resolved, you’ll attend a brief hearing. If approved, the judge will issue a final adoption decree and:
- Amend the child’s birth certificate
- Grant you full parental rights
At Modern Law, we’ve helped families navigate stepparent adoption with confidence. Whether it’s a straightforward case or a more contested situation, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
