Adult Adoption

At Tate Healey Webster, we believe that family is defined by love, commitment, and shared life—not just by age or circumstance. That’s why we are proud to offer Adult Adoption services across Florida, helping families formalize meaningful parent-child relationships, even after childhood has passed. Adult adoptions are some of the most rewarding and cherished cases we handle. There’s almost never a dry eye in the courtroom when one is finalized—it’s a beautiful moment that honors a bond that’s already felt like family.

Our firm handles a large number of adult adoptions every year, guiding families through this joyful and significant process with care and confidence.

An adult adoption allows one or two adults (the Petitioner(s)) to legally adopt another adult (the adult adoptee), creating a permanent, legal parent-child relationship. This process is commonly used to:

• Solidify a lifelong relationship between a stepparent and adult stepchild.
• Provide legal inheritance rights.
• Change last names to reflect family unity.
• Ensure familial recognition in medical or legal situations.

Key Facts:

• The adult adoptee must be over 18 and provide consent.
• The biological parents’ rights are terminated. They must receive notice of the hearing on the Petition, but their ability to contest the adoption is limited by Chapter 63 of the Florida Statutes.
• Both single individuals and married couples can adopt, with spousal consent or waiver required if married.
• There is no residency requirement—neither party needs to live in Florida for a set period.

We are Florida’s largest law firm focused exclusively on adoption and assisted reproductive law, and we handle many adult adoptions every year. Families across the state trust us because we:

• Offer deep expertise and personalized guidance.
• Manage every step, from the petition to the final hearing and amended birth certificate.
• Provide remote services to make the process convenient for you.
• Understand the emotional and legal significance of this life-changing step.

1. File a Petition for Adult Adoption
   The process begins with filing a legal petition in the county where the petitioner or your attorney is based.
2. Written Notice to Biological Parents
   While consent is not needed, Florida law requires that biological parents are notified.
3. Consent and Final Hearing
   Both the petitioner and adult adoptee attend a brief court hearing, often held virtually, to finalize the adoption.
4. Amend the Birth Certificate
   After the adoption is granted, Tate Healey Webster will apply for an amended birth certificate on behalf of the adult adoptee, reflecting the new legal parent(s) and any name change.

Any adult over 18 years old can be adopted in Florida with their consent. There are no restrictions on age differences, marital status, or previous relationships—what matters is the desire to establish a legal, lasting parent-child bond.

• Legal recognition of an emotional parent-child relationship.
• Inheritance rights and family medical access.
• Protection from toxic biological relationships.
• To honor a stepparent, foster parent, guardian, or other trusted adult.

If you’re ready to make a lifelong bond legally recognized, we’re here to help. Our team at Tate Healey Webster will guide you through every step of the adult adoption process in Florida—making it smooth, meaningful, and secure.

Call us at (813) 258-3355 or Contact us online at info@thw.law or click here to schedule a consultation.