When a stepparent wishes to adopt a stepchild, it’s normally because that person already has a parental relationship with the child. In some instances, the stepparent is the only mother or father the child has ever known. Very often they already share a home, as well as parenting responsibilities with the child’s other parent.

The stepparent may feel and act as a parent and often are surprised to find out that legal steps must be taken for an adoption to take place. However, stepparent adoption is much less complex than other types of adoption.

 

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Author: Wisconsin Family Connections Center
Additional Author: Coalition for Children, Youth & Families