Adoption:
Stepparent Adoptions

The only adoptions handled by ASUO Legal Services are stepparent adoptions. There are a number of costs and fees associated with the adoption process: criminal records check, $10 each; Lane County Circuit Court filing fee, $100.00; Health Division (for a new birth certificate if the child was born in Oregon), $50.00; various certified mailings, approximately $10; and document preparation fee, $30.00.

If the natural parent refuses or does not sign a consent to the adoption, he or she is entitled to notice of the proceedings and an opportunity to object to the adoption before his or her parental rights are terminated. In the event that natural parent cannot be located, a citation (notice of the adoption) must be published in a newspaper, usually at a minimum cost of $250.

The Department of Human Services for Children, Adults and Families has the option of conducting a home study. If the petition is to adopt a stepchild, or if one of the petitioners is the grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling of the child, each adoptive applicant and all members of the applicant's household who are over 18 years of age must submit to a current Oregon criminal records check. After successful completion of the criminal records check, the home study may be waived upon application.

The child's name may be changed during the adoption process.

There is a 90-day waiting period to finalize an adoption in Oregon. The time starts from the date the petition is served on Services to Children and Families. Often, the Department of Human Services waives the remainder of the waiting period if requested to do so.

The child's grandparents must be served with the petition for adoption if their names and addresses are known or may be readily determined. They then are given an opportunity to establish a visitation schedule with the child.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice. Any incidental fee-paying University of Oregon student who has questions about stepparent adoptions may call ASUO Legal Services at 541-346-4273 to arrange an appointment.

ASUO Legal Services' attorneys are licensed to practice in the State of Oregon. Information disseminated in this website does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. This page is for information purposes only. For legal advice, contact an attorney licensed in your state. You should not make legal hiring decisions based upon brochures, advertising or other promotional materials.