Husband (Step-dad) Adopting My Daughter

My husband adopted my son in 2003. Costs are minimal (less than $100) and you do it through the local family court office. It's just a matter of filling out some papers, the biological dad is brought in to legally sign off rights, there is a home study/visit and you go from there. It takes about 4-6 months total, but I do believe you have to be married at least 1 year before you can file (not sure as we had been married for about 8 years when we did ours).

Good Morning C..
I went through this also with my daughter. Michigan law states you are required to be married for at least 1 year before you can file for adoption by step parent. You will need to go through an attorney but if the bio is agreeable it will make it easier. There is usually a hearing required before a judge will sign the paperwork. You & your husband & your daughter will be interviewed by a court representative and your home looked at.
I went through it 9 yrs ago and it cost me $700. It was an easy process no hoops to jump through.
On the other hand, you must understand this adoption is irreversible. If you & hubby should divorce he is still responsible for your daughter. Child support, visitation, F.O.C. Adoption is a huge commitment. Make sure you are all 3 ready for it.

In Peoria County, Illinois it went like this.
We had to make a public announcement that the adoption would be taking place. THis was done in the newspaper. That way public notice was sent as we didn't know the father's address at the time.
We then had to have papers drawn up and I believe we went to the courthouse to get them. It was really rather painless, a few forms to fill out and a court appearance. It was not that expensive at the time, 15 years ago. At the court appearance they questioned my son and he said yes he wanted my current husband to adopt him and then the judge questioned us. My son was given a child's advocate by the court.
We then had his new birth certificate and adoption papers they gave to us and those are in our permanent file.
THe only issue we had was when the school put my son in two different classes under my maiden name and my husband's name in kindergarten. .
Start with your courthouse in your county. We did not need a lawyer, the bio fathers' name was never on the first birth certificate.

My sister had the same thing...her husband adopted her son from a previous relationship. I think to cover yourself and your whole family, it would be a good idea for bio-dad to relinquish his rights in writing. You will need some legal advice anyway, but I feel sure you will want that in writing. The process was quick and easy. I think it took only a couple of weeks and was very reasonable in cost. (This was 18 years ago so I have to think the cost has changed.) I would "google it" What a wonderful thing your hubby is doing!

In ohio you gave to be married at least 2 years and have no contact with bio dad for the same about of time. Not even a card or phone call, etc.
It will cost less if bio is not going to oppose but still probably over $1000 because of court costs attorney fees, etc.
Call an attorney who will talk with you about it over the phone free of charge (most will I think) and you should get a good idea of what you will need to do. The amount of time it will take, cost, etc.
Hope this helps :)

I'm glad you asked that! I'm gonna mooch of your answers. Detroiter here. Good luck and congrats on finding a good one!

In Kansas this is how it was:

First I contacted my lawyer and he drew up papers for her biological father to sign over his rights. Second I agreed to contact her bio father to set up a meeting for him to sign the papers (we were on good terms). Once the papers were signed by all three of us the court date was set. Finally, we went to court and the judge asked my daughter a few questions and my husband. There was a little hearing, and the judge signed the final paperwork. My daughter's bio father was not on her B.C. either, but we still had to go through the steps. My daughter was adopted on 2/21/08, and it was the best thing we ever did! She also was seven years old! I think the total cost ended up being around $1500, but it was worth every penny!!!
Hope this helps, C.