Utah’s adoption laws are designed to protect the child’s interests while ensuring the adoption is legally solid. Every case must pass through three major stages:

• Consent: Either the biological parent consents, or the court determines their rights can be terminated under Utah law.
• Investigation or background check: Utah requires background screening, including fingerprinting, for the adopting stepparent.
• Court approval: A judge reviews evidence, confirms legal requirements are met, and finalizes the adoption.

Understanding these stages helps families avoid delays and prepare for what the court will ask.

Consent is the most important part of any stepparent adoption. Utah courts need clarity on the rights of the child’s other biological parent.

You generally need one of the following:

• Written consent from the biological parent.
• Proof the parent abandoned the child under Utah law.
• Evidence supporting termination of parental rights, such as long-term non-support or no contact.
• A previous termination order, often from a different court case.

Consent must be legally valid. Informal agreements, texts, or verbal permissions do not satisfy Utah’s adoption statutes.

Utah requires adopting stepparents to go through a basic safety screening. This typically includes:

• A criminal background check, including fingerprinting.
• A child abuse and neglect registry check.
• Sometimes a brief court-ordered evaluation if questions arise.

Compared to full adoptions, the process is typically faster and less intrusive because the child already lives in the stepparent’s home.

Once consent and background checks are complete, the family schedules a finalization hearing. This is usually a brief, positive court appearance.

Typical steps include:

• The judge confirms all legal requirements were met.
• The adopting stepparent answers simple questions about their relationship with the child.
• The child may attend if appropriate.
• The judge signs the final adoption decree, making the relationship legally permanent.

Most hearings take place in Utah district court. Many families describe this as one of the happiest days of the entire process.

After the adoption decree is issued, families can request an updated Utah birth certificate.

This can include:

• A new last name for the child (optional).
• Listing the stepparent as the child’s legal parent.
• Issuance of a new certified record, replacing the old version.

These updates make school enrollment, medical care, and travel far easier because all documents now match the stepparent’s legal status.

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