Stepparent Adoption
Series Title: Factsheets for Families
Author(s): Information Gateway
Year Published: 2022
File Size: 347 KB
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.
This publication is also available in Spanish.
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