In Utah, a stepparent may adopt their spouse’s child if the child is under 18 and at least one biological parent retains legal rights. The adopting stepparent must be legally married to the child’s parent, and both must reside in Utah or have a strong Utah connection.

Adoption cases are filed in Utah District Court, typically in the county where the child or parents live. Filing in the correct county helps prevent unnecessary delays and ensures the judge has proper jurisdiction.

Before a stepparent adoption can move forward, the rights of the other biological parent must either be voluntarily relinquished or terminated by the court.

If that parent is absent, has abandoned the child, or cannot be located, Utah law provides a process to terminate their parental rights after notice and hearing. The court will closely examine whether the noncustodial parent has made meaningful contact or provided support.

The adopting stepparent must submit several documents to the court, including:

In most stepparent adoptions, Utah courts waive the traditional home study requirement. However, a judge may still order one if there are concerns about the child’s well-being or if unusual circumstances exist.

If a home study is required, it involves an interview and basic household review. Many families complete it within a few weeks.

After all paperwork and checks are complete, the court schedules a finalization hearing. This is often a brief, emotional moment where the judge officially approves the adoption. The child may even participate in the hearing.

Once finalized, the Utah Department of Health issues a new birth certificate listing the stepparent as the child’s legal parent. From that point on, the stepparent has the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.

• Missing or invalid consents
• Incomplete background checks
• Filing in the wrong county
• Failing to properly terminate a biological parent’s rights