Have no fear; a stepparent adoption can still be performed even if you cannot locate the non-custodial parent. While the process is a little lengthier, and can cost a bit more to complete without the consent of the non-custodial parent, there are still ways to complete your stepparent adoption.

You will have to prove to the court that you have gone above and beyond in your efforts to locate the missing parent. Contacting family members (of the non-custodial parent), old mutual friends, asking the post office for a forwarding... more

When a biological parent cannot be found in order to get their permission for a stepparent adoption, many families find themselves having to publish a public notice in the newspaper, stating their intent to have the absent parents right’s terminated in regards to the child, and to have the child formally adopted by the stepparent. The notice often runs in the paper for several weeks, giving the absent parent time to see and respond to the notice.

This can be an extremely stressful time for the... more