Adopting your stepdaughter is one of the most meaningful ways to solidify your role in her life. It’s more than a legal process—it’s a lifelong commitment that provides your family with stability, love, and protection. If you’re asking, “How can I adopt my stepdaughter in Texas?”, this guide will walk you through the requirements and steps to make your relationship legally permanent.
WHAT IS STEPPARENT ADOPTION?
Stepparent adoption occurs when a spouse legally adopts their partner’s biological or legal child. Once finalized, you gain the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent, including:
- Making medical and educational decisions
- Ensuring inheritance rights
- Establishing legal guardianship and parental authority
For many families, it’s a natural next step that brings legal security to an existing bond.
REQUIREMENTS TO ADOPT YOUR STEPDAUGHTER IN TEXAS
To legally adopt your stepdaughter in Texas, you must:
- Be legally married to her biological or legal parent.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Be financially and emotionally stable.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Obtain consent from your spouse and, in some cases, from your stepdaughter.
STEP-BY-STEP: HOW TO ADOPT YOUR STEPDAUGHTER IN TEXAS
Step 1: Termination of Parental Rights
Before adoption can take place, Texas law requires that the child have only two legal parents. Therefore, the other biological parent’s rights must be terminated before you can adopt.
Termination may happen:
- Voluntarily – The other parent signs an affidavit relinquishing their parental rights.
- Involuntarily – A court terminates parental rights due to abandonment, neglect, abuse, or failure to support the child.
Your attorney can help you file a Petition to Terminate Parental Rights as part of the adoption case.
Step 2: File a Petition for Adoption
After termination, you or your attorney will file an Original Petition for Adoption of a Stepchild in the family court of the county where your stepdaughter resides. This petition formally requests that the court recognize you as her legal parent.
Step 3: Home Study (May Be Waived)
Most Texas courts require a home study conducted by a licensed social worker. This evaluation reviews your family’s home environment, background, and financial stability.
However, in stepparent adoptions, judges often waive this requirement if the child already lives with you and the family is stable.
Step 4: Consent from Your Stepdaughter (If 12 or Older)
If your stepdaughter is 12 years old or older, Texas law requires her written or verbal consent to the adoption before the court can approve it.
Step 5: Attend the Final Adoption Hearing
After all documentation is complete, the court will schedule an adoption hearing. You, your spouse, and your stepdaughter will attend.
During the hearing, the judge will:
- Review the petition and background materials.
- Confirm that the adoption is in your stepdaughter’s best interest.
- Issue a Final Order of Adoption, granting you full parental rights.
Afterward, you can request a new birth certificate listing you as her legal parent.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
Most stepparent adoptions in Texas take 3 to 6 months, depending on whether the other parent’s rights are contested. Cases requiring involuntary termination may take longer.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Stepparent adoptions are typically less expensive than other types of adoption. Average costs include:
- Court filing fees: $300–$400
- Attorney fees: $1,000–$5,000 (depending on case complexity)
- Home study (if required): $1,000–$2,500
BENEFITS OF ADOPTING YOUR STEPDAUGHTER
- Provides legal stability for your family.
- Gives your stepdaughter inheritance and parental rights.
- Strengthens your bond through official recognition.
- Ensures protection if something happens to your spouse.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do both biological parents have to consent?
Yes. The other parent’s rights must be terminated before adoption can occur.
Can I adopt my stepdaughter without a lawyer?
You can file the paperwork yourself, but adoption and termination of parental rights are complex legal matters. Hiring an experienced family law attorney helps ensure accuracy and minimizes delays.
Does my stepdaughter need to be living with me?
Yes, she must live with you and your spouse to demonstrate a stable family environment.
FINAL STEPS TO ADOPT YOUR STEPDAUGHTER IN TEXAS
So, how can you adopt your stepdaughter in Texas? You’ll need to terminate the other parent’s rights, file a petition for adoption, and attend a court hearing. Once finalized, you’ll become your stepdaughter’s legal parent—solidifying your bond and securing her future.
While the process involves legal steps, the result is a stronger, unified family built on love and permanence.
Bryan Fagan is a Texas family law attorney with a heart for adoption—inspired not just by his legal career, but by his own family story. Growing up in Atascocita with two adopted brothers, Bryan learned early the profound meaning of chosen family. His passion for justice was sparked by John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief, and he became the first lawyer in his family, balancing night classes at South Texas College of Law while caring for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s.
Today, Bryan brings that same dedication to his practice, guiding families through adoptions, custody disputes, divorces, and complex marital agreements. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, he combines elite legal expertise with genuine empathy—drawing from his roles as a husband, father of three, and advocate for families facing false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is actively involved in the Houston Bar Association’s Family Law Sector and statewide family law organizations. Whether finalizing an adoption or protecting parental rights, he believes the law should reflect the deepest values of home, commitment, and love.