How Long Does It Take to Get Adopted as an Adult?

Quick Answer

Adult adoption takes 1–6 months from filing to finalization. The process is significantly simpler than child adoption because it does not require home studies, agency involvement, or termination of parental rights. Most adult adoptions are straightforward legal proceedings that require filing a petition, a brief court hearing, and a judge's approval.

Timeline Overview

Step	Timeline
Prepare and file petition	1–2 weeks
Waiting period (if required)	0–90 days
Background check (if required)	1–4 weeks
Court hearing scheduled	2–8 weeks after filing
Court hearing	15–30 minutes
Final decree issued	Same day–2 weeks
Total	1–6 months

State Comparison

Adult adoption laws and timelines vary considerably by state. Some states treat it as a simple consent-based process, while others impose waiting periods or age gap requirements.

State	Minimum Age Gap	Waiting Period	Typical Timeline	Consent Needed
California	None	None	1–3 months	Adoptee only
Texas	None	None	1–2 months	Adoptee only
New York	None	None	2–4 months	Adoptee + spouse (if married)
Florida	None	30 days	2–3 months	Adoptee + birth parents (if locatable)
Ohio	None	None	1–3 months	Adoptee only
Pennsylvania	None	None	1–3 months	Adoptee only
Illinois	None	30 days	2–4 months	Adoptee only
Colorado	None	90 days	3–6 months	Adoptee only
Alabama	10 years	None	1–3 months	Adoptee only
Arizona	None	None	1–3 months	Adoptee + spouse (if married)

Requirements by State Type

States fall into two general categories for adult adoption: consent-only states and states with additional requirements.

Requirement	Consent-Only States	Additional Requirement States
Home study	No	No
Background check	Rarely	Sometimes
Age gap between parties	Usually none	Some require 10–15 years
Birth parent notification	Usually no	Some states require it
Waiting period	None	30–90 days
Attorney required	Recommended	Recommended
Filing fee	$100–$400	$100–$400

Common Reasons for Adult Adoption

Adult adoption serves several purposes. Stepparent adoption is the most common — a stepparent formally adopts an adult stepchild, often to cement a long-standing parental relationship. Inheritance planning allows the adopted adult to become a legal heir. Formalizing a caregiving relationship recognizes a mentor, foster parent, or other adult who served a parental role. Name change is sometimes a secondary benefit, as the adopted person may take the adopting parent's surname.

The Court Hearing

The hearing itself is typically brief — 15–30 minutes in most jurisdictions. The judge reviews the petition, confirms that all parties consent, asks a few questions about the relationship, and issues the adoption decree. Some judges finalize the adoption on the spot, while others issue the decree within 1–2 weeks.

Unlike child adoption hearings, adult adoption hearings are generally informal and non-adversarial. Both the adopting parent and the adoptee must be present. Spouses of both parties may also need to attend and provide consent, depending on state law.

Legal Effects

Once finalized, adult adoption creates the same legal parent-child relationship as if the adoptee had been born to the adoptive parent. The adopted adult gains inheritance rights, can take the adoptive parent's surname, and the relationship is recognized on all legal documents. In most states, the adoption does not terminate the relationship with biological parents — adult adoption is typically additive rather than substitutive.

Cost

Adult adoption costs range from $250–$2,500, including filing fees ($100–$400) and attorney fees ($200–$2,000). Some petitioners successfully file pro se (without an attorney) using court-provided forms, reducing costs to just the filing fee.