Adoption is the process of changing the legal parent of a child.  In Colorado we allow adoption of children by step-parents, custodial adoption including same sex adoptions, kinship adoption, and adoptions of adults.

These adoptions have different processes and requirements but all change the name of the parent on the birth certificate of the child, except for the adoption of adults.  The adopting person becomes the person with legal rights and responsibilities in relation to a child.  The biological parent loses his or her parental responsibilities and rights.

Step-parent adoption in Colorado currently requires that the step-parent, who must be over the age of 21 and physically reside in Colorado, file a petition for adoption with the Court. The biological parent, who is the spouse of the party adopting, is required to file his or her consent to the adoption.  The other parent must either consent or be served a notice that their parental rights could be terminated because they have not paid child support or been in contact with the child for over a year.  Most counties will require that the step-parent have been married to the biological parent for at least a year.

The Step-Parent Adoption Process Requires:
  - Consent of the Child if he or she is 12 or older
  - Background Check
  - Hearing and Termination of Parental Rights
  - New Birth Certificate

The Kinship Adoption requires:
  - The person adopting be over the age of 21
  - The adopting person be related to the child
  - The adopting person to have had physical custody of the child for one year.
  - Consent of the Child if he or she is 12 or older
   - Background Check
  - Hearing and Termination of Parental Rights
  - New Birth Certificate

Custodial Adoption involves the use of an Adoption Agency and requires:
  - The person adopting be over the age of 21
  - A home study to be done
  - The adopting person have physical custody of the child.
  - Consent of the Child if he or she is 12 or older
  - Background Check
  - The child must be to be adopted. Termination of parental rights having taken place in prior process.
  - New Birth Certificate

Adoption of an Adult:
 This is often used to allow someone to inherit from another adult. 

For more information on Adoptions, please contact us here.