Series Title: Factsheets for Families
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Year Published: 2022
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If you adopt as a stepparent, you agree to become the legal parent to your spouse's child and to be fully responsible for them. After the adoption occurs, the noncustodial parent (the parent not living with the child) no longer has rights or responsibilities for the child, including child support. This bulletin discusses legal issues associated with stepparent adoption, as well as the adoption of a foreign spouse’s child. It includes the steps required to prepare for the adoption and resources to help stepparents after the adoption is finalized.
Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2022). Stepparent adoption. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-step
This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.
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