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Making It Official

A Guide to Stepparent Adoption

By National Adoption Information Clearinghouse

3. Obtain required legal forms.
Many states have designated certain publishing companies to stock and sell to the public legal forms for court procedures. If you hire an attorney, he or she will take care of this for you.

4. Submit required legal paperwork.
Again, this will be handled by the attorney representing you at the adoption hearing if you choose to hire one.

5. Await notification of a court hearing date.
A hearing date is assigned in consultation with the judge's (or magistrate's) schedule, your attorney's schedule and the court calendar. You may be notified of the hearing date by mail or by your attorney. You usually are required to attend this hearing.

6. Appear at the hearing.
Court hearings are held to allow the judge or magistrate hearing the case to question the parties involved. Your attorney will advise you about how adoption hearings are conducted in a particular court. At the end of the hearing, the judge or magistrate will set a date for the finalization of the adoption. Your attorney will advise you whether or not you will be required to attend this hearing.

7. Finalize the adoption.
Adoption certificates are issued at this hearing. You may wish to request additional copies of this legal document for your files.

8. Apply for amended birth certificates.
After the adoption is finalized, you can apply for amended birth certificates to be issued.