Stepparent adoption is exciting because it is the opportunity to make the children you are raising legally your own. For a stepparent to adopt their stepchild, the other parent will have to terminate their parental rights or simply not be known. For a stepparent to complete an adoption, they must:

• Provide a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate
• Perform a search of the Minnesota Father’s Adoption Registry if the father hasn’t already terminated parental rights
• Submit fingerprints for a background check
• Have the necessary court documents prepared and filed

It is possible to try and adopt without the consent of the non-custodial parent. This is called a “contested adoption.” Certain circumstances should exist for a contested adoption to move forward, which can be reviewed in consultation with one of our adoption law attorneys.