Practice Areas - Adoption

There are three main types of adoption, 1) Adult, 2) Step-Parent/Relative, and 3) Non-Relative.

Adult Adoptions.

Adult adoptions for adults who reside in Pima County are handled at the Pima County Superior Court at 110 W. Congress, Tucson, Arizona. An adult may adopt another adult who is a stepchild, niece, nephew, cousin, grand child and, sometimes, a foster child. An agreement is required of both adults, and their spouses if they are married. The Court will schedule a hearing on the Petition and may require that notice be given. The adoption will be granted if the Court determines that the adoption is in the best interests of the parties and the public. An adult adoption creates the relationship of parent and child subject to all of the rights and duties of that relationship.

Step-Parent/Relative Adoption.

Adoptions of children who reside in Pima County are handling at the Pima County Superior Court, Juvenile Division, 2225 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, Arizona. The first step in a Step-Parent/Relative adoption is to make sure that the child is free for adoption. This means that natural parent’s parental rights are either terminated (See Termination of Parental Rights) or the natural parent has consented to the adoption.

Once the child is free for adoption, the Juvenile Court Adoptions Unit conducts a social study which includes fingerprinting, a background check, health screening (doctors’ note), meeting with the child and prospective adoptive parent(s). After conducting the social study, the Adoptions Unit will recommend for or against the adoption. In most cases, the adoption can be completed within six months from the initial fingerprinting.