Filing your New Brunswick stepparent adoption doesn’t have to be difficult.

NEW BRUNSWICK ADOPTION: We understand that filing for an adoption is an extremely important time in your life. With our experience in completing stepparent adoption documents for the residents of New Brunswick, you can have the confidence to know that your adoption will be completed correctly and without problems.
 
Completing a stepparent adoption in New Brunswick doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. We guarantee that your New Brunswick adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept it for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards or you get your money back – 100%.
 

Important information about filing an adoption in New Brunswick.

All of the adoption documents and procedures for New Brunswick adoptions are pursuant to the New Brunswick Adoption Act, which addresses the legal requirements to complete a relative or stepparent adoption. Please review the information below about filing an adoption in New Brunswick.

With the experience of Reliable Adoption, we can simplify the process of filing a step parent adoption in New Brunswick by preparing all the legal documents that you will need to complete your stepparent adoption and guiding you through the entire process. This includes preparing all the legal adoption documents that you will need, including any required documents for the child, instructions to complete the Birth Father Registry search, and everything else required to complete the stepparent adoption.
 
We guarantee that your New Brunswick stepparent adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept them for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards, or you get your money back – 100%. We can make this guarantee because we make it our mission to make sure our documents are complete and up-to-date with the newest court regulations. If we don’t make it right, we’ll refund your money – 100%.

New Brunswick Stepparent Adoption – Information you should know.

A stepparent adoption in New Brunswick, Canada is the most common type of adoption. It is also the simplest type of adoption because only one parent is being substituted in the proceeding. The adoption process for any type of relative adoption is based on what is in the best interest of the child. The Court will take into consideration the relationship that the child has with their stepparent and the relationship that the child has with the absent parent.
 
A stepparent adoption, as indicated in the name, involves the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child’s parent. The definition of “spouse” which is employed by the legislation is based on the Human Rights Code and includes married partners and partners living in conjugal relationships, whether it be a same-sex relationship or an opposite sex relationship.
 
The main concern of the court in a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice is the best interest of the child. The court will take into consideration the child’s wishes, the child’s physical, mental and emotional condition as well as the child’s cultural and religious background. In most circumstances, the Court will look to the fact that the request for adoption has been filed with the Court by the child’s parent as proof that the parent believes the stepparent adoption is in the child’s best interest.
 

 

Consent of the absent parent.

One critical element to the stepparent adoption process is the consent of the parties who are required to consent. In a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in New Brunswick, the court will require the written consent of any child being adopted who is over the age of seven (7), and both of the child’s biological parents, unless the court waives the requirement of the consent for an absent parent.
 
In many circumstances, one parent will have abandoned the child and his or her whereabouts are unknown. The court will dispense with the consent of the absent parent when it is in the child’s best interest to do so and the absent parent, whose consent has been sought, has received notice of the adoption and the application to dispense with that parents consent. It is fairly common that the other parent’s consent is not required when that parent has abandoned the child.
 

Grounds for the termination of parental rights.

The grounds which typically justify the termination of parental rights in a stepparent adoption involve abandonment, failure to support the child, and the best interests of the child. If the absent parent has abandoned the child, that parents parental rights will be terminated and the consent from that parent will not be required. Some of the issues the court will review to determine whether the absent parent has abandoned the child are as follows:

• The absent parent has abandoned the adoptee, failing to offer financial and/or emotional support for a substantial period of time.
• The absent parent has knowingly left the adoptee with the other parent without provisions for support and without communication, or otherwise maintaining a significant parental relationship with the child.

It is not required to terminate parental rights of a parent who is deceased.

Most of the stepparent adoptions we do for customers have one of the following circumstances:

• The absent natural parent is deceased.
• The absent parent has abandoned the child or children, by failing to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child(ren), and failing to provide financial support for the child(ren). In many situations, the absent parent’s whereabouts are unknown.
• The absent parent believes that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, and agrees to sign a consent to the adoption.

Please note that if the other parent has regular contact with the child and pays child support, you will not be able to complete a stepparent adoption in New Brunswick unless the other parent is willing to sign a consent to the adoption.
 

What it means to adopt your stepchild.

When the adoption order has been issued by the court, the child will be considered to be a child in the respect as if the child had been born to the adoptive parent.
 
This means that no person who was a family member of the absent parent can ever request the court for an order of access with the child.

Where will you file your stepparent adoption documents?

The stepparent adoption application is filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice. When the stepparent adoption is finalized by the Court, your adopted child will receive a new birth certificate, showing the new parent listed on the birth certificate, and also showing the child’s new name.

Prior to filing your Application for Adoption with the New Brunswick Court, the petitioner and the child must have been a bona fide resident of New Brunswick prior to the Application for Adoption, which residency must be stated in the petition and proved at the final hearing.

Visitation by grandparents or the absent parent.

Once the adoption is finalized, the absent parent and the relatives of the absent will have no legal ability to gain visitation to the child.

NEW BRUNSWICK COURT LOCATIONS:

Here is the information for all of the courts in New Brunswick that handle adoptions. If your region is not listed, we will include the nearest court information with your documents.
 
Judicial District of Bathurst: 254 St. Patrick Street, Bathurst, NB E2A 1E1
(506) 547-2150
 
Judicial District of Campbellton: 157 Water Street, Campbellton, NB E3N 3L4
(506) 789-2364
 
Judicial District of Edmundston: 121 de l’ �glise Street, Edmundston, NB E3V 1J9
(506) 735-2029
 
Judicial District of Fredericton: 427 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B7
(506) 453-2015
 
Judicial District of Miramichi: 673 King George Highway, Miramichi, NB E1V 1N6
(506) 627-4023
 
Judicial District of Moncton: 770 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Room 207, Moncton, NB E1C 8R3
(506) 856-2305
 
Judicial District of Saint John: 110 Charlotte Street, Saint John, NB E2L 2J3
(506) 658-2400
 
Judicial District of Woodstock: 689 Main Street, Woodstock, NB E7M 5C6
(506) 325-4414
 

Court filing fees.

The court filing fees for an adoption in New Brunswick are approximately $200.

 
Step Parent Adoption in New Brunswick We help families throughout New Brunswick complete their stepparent adoptions without the high cost of an adoption attorney. We serve families in St. John, Moncton, Fredericton, Miramichi, Edmundston, Dieppe, Bathurst, Campbellton and all the other cities in New Brunswick.
 

Start your New Brunswick Stepparent Adoption Today!

Filing your Manitoba stepparent adoption doesn’t have to be difficult.

MANITOBA ADOPTION: We understand that filing for an adoption is an extremely important time in your life. With our experience in completing stepparent adoption documents for the residents of Manitoba, you can have the confidence to know that your adoption will be completed correctly and without problems.
 
Completing a stepparent adoption in Manitoba doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. We guarantee that your Manitoba adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept it for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards or you get your money back – 100%.
 

Important information about filing an adoption in Manitoba.

All of the adoption documents and procedures for Manitoba adoptions are pursuant to the Manitoba Adoption Act, which addresses the legal requirements to complete a relative or stepparent adoption. Please review the information below about filing an adoption in Manitoba.

With the experience of Reliable Adoption, we can simplify the process of filing a step parent adoption in Manitoba by preparing all the legal documents that you will need to complete your stepparent adoption and guiding you through the entire process. This includes preparing all the legal adoption documents that you will need, including any required documents for the child, instructions to complete the Birth Father Registry search, and everything else required to complete the stepparent adoption.
 
We guarantee that your Manitoba stepparent adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept them for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards, or you get your money back – 100%. We can make this guarantee because we make it our mission to make sure our documents are complete and up-to-date with the newest court regulations. If we don’t make it right, we’ll refund your money – 100%.

Manitoba Stepparent Adoption – Information you should know.

A stepparent adoption in Manitoba, Canada is the most common type of adoption. It is also the simplest type of adoption because only one parent is being substituted in the proceeding. The adoption process for any type of relative adoption is based on what is in the best interest of the child. The Court will take into consideration the relationship that the child has with their stepparent and the relationship that the child has with the absent parent.
 
A stepparent adoption, as indicated in the name, involves the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child’s parent. The definition of “spouse” which is employed by the legislation is based on the Human Rights Code and includes married partners and partners living in conjugal relationships, whether it be a same-sex relationship or an opposite sex relationship.
 
The main concern of the court in a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice is the best interest of the child. The court will take into consideration the child’s wishes, the child’s physical, mental and emotional condition as well as the child’s cultural and religious background. In most circumstances, the Court will look to the fact that the request for adoption has been filed with the Court by the child’s parent as proof that the parent believes the stepparent adoption is in the child’s best interest.
 

 

Consent of the absent parent.

One critical element to the stepparent adoption process is the consent of the parties who are required to consent. In a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in Manitoba, the court will require the written consent of any child being adopted who is over the age of seven (7), and both of the child’s biological parents, unless the court waives the requirement of the consent for an absent parent.
 
In many circumstances, one parent will have abandoned the child and his or her whereabouts are unknown. The court will dispense with the consent of the absent parent when it is in the child’s best interest to do so and the absent parent, whose consent has been sought, has received notice of the adoption and the application to dispense with that parents consent. It is fairly common that the other parent’s consent is not required when that parent has abandoned the child.
 

Grounds for the termination of parental rights.

The grounds which typically justify the termination of parental rights in a stepparent adoption involve abandonment, failure to support the child, and the best interests of the child. If the absent parent has abandoned the child, that parents parental rights will be terminated and the consent from that parent will not be required. Some of the issues the court will review to determine whether the absent parent has abandoned the child are as follows:

• The absent parent has abandoned the adoptee, failing to offer financial and/or emotional support for a substantial period of time.
• The absent parent has knowingly left the adoptee with the other parent without provisions for support and without communication, or otherwise maintaining a significant parental relationship with the child.

It is not required to terminate parental rights of a parent who is deceased.

Most of the stepparent adoptions we do for customers have one of the following circumstances:

• The absent natural parent is deceased.
• The absent parent has abandoned the child or children, by failing to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child(ren), and failing to provide financial support for the child(ren). In many situations, the absent parent’s whereabouts are unknown.
• The absent parent believes that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, and agrees to sign a consent to the adoption.

Please note that if the other parent has regular contact with the child and pays child support, you will not be able to complete a stepparent adoption in Manitoba unless the other parent is willing to sign a consent to the adoption.
 

What it means to adopt your stepchild.

When the adoption order has been issued by the court, the child will be considered to be a child in the respect as if the child had been born to the adoptive parent.
 
This means that no person who was a family member of the absent parent can ever request the court for an order of access with the child.

Where will you file your stepparent adoption documents?

The stepparent adoption application is filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice. When the stepparent adoption is finalized by the Court, your adopted child will receive a new birth certificate, showing the new parent listed on the birth certificate, and also showing the child’s new name.

Prior to filing your Application for Adoption with the Manitoba Court, the petitioner and the child must have been a bona fide resident of Manitoba prior to the Application for Adoption, which residency must be stated in the petition and proved at the final hearing.

Visitation by grandparents or the absent parent.

Once the adoption is finalized, the absent parent and the relatives of the absent will have no legal ability to gain visitation to the child.

MANITOBA COURT LOCATIONS:

Here is the information for all of the courts in Manitoba that handle adoptions. If your region is not listed, we will include the nearest court information with your documents.
 
Brandon-Court of Queens Bench: 100 – 1104 Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0P9
(204) 726-6547
 
Dauphin-Court of Queens Bench: 114 River Avenue West, Dauphin, Manitoba R7N 0J7
(204) 622-2099
 
Flin Flon-Court of Queens Bench: 104 143 Main Street, Flin Flon, Manitoba R8A 1K2
(204) 687-1670
 
Minnedosa-Court of Queens Bench: 70 3rd Avenue South West, Minnedosa, Manitoba R0J 1E0
(204) 867-4722
 
Morden-Court of Queens Bench: 301 Wardrop Street, Morden, Manitoba R6M 1X6
(204) 822-2882
 
Portage La Prarie-Court of Queens Bench: 25 Tupper Street North, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 3K1
(204) 239-3383
 
St. Boniface-Court of Queens Bench: 227 Provencher Boulevard, St. Boniface, Manitoba R2H 0G4
(204) 785-5122
 
Selkirk-Court of Queens Bench: 101 235 Eaton Avenue, Selkirk, Manitoba R1A 0W7
(204) 785-5122
 
Swan River-Court of Queens Bench: 201 4th Avenue South, Swan River, Manitoba R0L 1Z0
(250)784-2278
 
The Pas-Court of Queens Bench: 300 3rd Street East, The Pas, Manitoba R9A 1L2
(204) 627-8420
 
Thompson-Court of Queens Bench: 59 Elizabeth Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1X4
(204) 677-6757
 
Virden-Court of Queens Bench: 232 Wellington Street West, Virden, Manitoba R0M 2C0
(250) 787-3231
 
Winnipeg-Court of Queens Bench: Main Floor, 408 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0P9
(204) 945-0344
 

Court filing fees.

The court filing fees for an adoption in Manitoba are approximately $200.

 
Step Parent Adoption in Manitoba We help families throughout Manitoba complete their stepparent adoptions without the high cost of an adoption attorney. We serve families in Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Thompson, Winkler, Salkirk, Dauphin, Morden, The Pas, Flin Flon, Stonewall, Altona, Swan River, Neepawa, Niverville, Beausejourm Virden, Carmen, Oakbank and all the other cities in Manitoba.
 

Start your Manitoba Stepparent Adoption Today!

WE ARE NOT PREPARING BRITISH COLUMBIA ADOPTIONS AT THIS TIME.

BRITISH COLUMBIA ADOPTION: We understand that filing for an adoption is an extremely important time in your life. With our experience in completing stepparent adoption documents for the residents of British Columbia, you can have the confidence to know that your adoption will be completed correctly and without problems.
 
Completing a stepparent adoption in British Columbia doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. We guarantee that your British Columbia adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept it for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards or you get your money back – 100%.

Important information about filing an adoption in British Columbia.

We know how important is it for you to do the research on adoption. Our highly experienced staff will help you through the process. All of the adoption documents and procedures for British Columbia adoptions are pursuant to the British Columbia Adoption Act, which addresses the legal requirements to complete a relative or stepparent adoption. Please review the information below about filing an adoption in British Columbia.

With the experience of Reliable Adoption, we can simplify the process of filing a step parent adoption in British Columbia by preparing all the legal documents that you will need to complete your stepparent adoption and guiding you through the entire process. This includes preparing all the legal adoption documents that you will need, including any required documents for the child, instructions to complete the Birth Father Registry search, and everything else required to complete the stepparent adoption.
 
We guarantee that your British Columbia stepparent adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept them for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards, or you get your money back – 100%. We can make this guarantee because we make it our mission to make sure our documents are complete and up-to-date with the newest court regulations. If we don’t make it right, we’ll refund your money – 100%.

British Columbia Stepparent Adoption – Information you should know.

A stepparent adoption in British Columbia, Canada is the most common type of adoption. It is also the most simple type of adoption because only one parent is being substituted in the proceeding. The adoption process for any type of relative adoption is based on what is in the best interest of the child. The Court will take into consideration the relationship that the child has with their stepparent and the relationship that the child has with the absent parent.
 
A stepparent adoption, as indicated in the name, involves the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child’s parent. The definition of “spouse” which is employed by the legislation is based on the Human Rights Code and includes married partners and partners living in conjugal relationships, whether it be a same-sex relationship or an opposite sex relationship.
 
The main concern of the court in a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice is the best interest of the child. The court will take into consideration the child’s wishes, the child’s physical, mental and emotional condition as well as the child’s cultural and religious background. In most circumstances, the Court will look to the fact that the request for adoption has been filed with the Court by the child’s parent as proof that the parent believes the stepparent adoption is in the child’s best interest.
 

 

Consent of the absent parent.

One critical element to the stepparent adoption process is the consent of the parties who are required to consent. In a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in British Columbia, the court will require the written consent of any child being adopted who is over the age of seven (7), and both of the child’s biological parents, unless the court waives the requirement of the consent for an absent parent.
 
In many circumstances, one parent will have abandoned the child and his or her whereabouts are unknown. The court will dispense with the consent of the absent parent when it is in the child’s best interest to do so and the absent parent, whose consent has been sought, has received notice of the adoption and the application to dispense with that parents consent. It is fairly common that the other parent’s consent is not required when that parent has abandoned the child.
 

Grounds for the termination of parental rights.

The grounds which typically justify the termination of parental rights in a stepparent adoption involve abandonment, failure to support the child, and the best interests of the child. If the absent parent has abandoned the child, that parents parental rights will be terminated and the consent from that parent will not be required. Some of the issues the court will review to determine whether the absent parent has abandoned the child are as follows:

• The absent parent has abandoned the adoptee, failing to offer financial and/or emotional support for a substantial period of time.
• The absent parent has knowingly left the adoptee with the other parent without provisions for support and without communication, or otherwise maintaining a significant parental relationship with the child.

It is not required to terminate parental rights of a parent who is deceased.
 
Most of the stepparent adoptions we do for customers have one of the following circumstances:

• The absent natural parent is deceased.
• The absent parent has abandoned the child or children, by failing to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child(ren), and failing to provide financial support for the child(ren). In many situations, the absent parent’s whereabouts are unknown.
• The absent parent believes that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, and agrees to sign a consent to the adoption.

Please note that if the other parent has regular contact with the child and pays child support, you will not be able to complete a stepparent adoption in British Columbia unless the other parent is willing to sign a consent to the adoption.
 

What it means to adopt your stepchild.

When the adoption order has been issued by the court, the child will be considered to be a child in the respect as if the child had been born to the adoptive parent. This means that no person who was a family member of the absent parent can ever request the court for an order of access with the child.

Where will you file your stepparent adoption documents?

The stepparent adoption application is filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice. When the stepparent adoption is finalized by the Court, your adopted child will receive a new birth certificate, showing the new parent listed on the birth certificate, and also showing the child’s new name.

Prior to filing your Application for Adoption with the Court, the petitioner and the child must have been a bona fide resident of British Columbia prior to the Application for Adoption, which residency must be stated in the petition and proved at the final hearing.

Visitation by grandparents or the absent parent.

Once the adoption is finalized, the absent parent and the relatives of the absent will have no legal ability to gain visitation to the child.

BRITISH COLUMBIA COURT LOCATIONS:

 
Here is the information for some of the courts in British Columbia. If your Court is not listed, we will include the court information with your documents.
 
Abbotsford Adoption Court: 32203 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 1W6
(604) 855-3200
 
Atlin Adoption Court: 3rd Street, Atlin, BC V0W 1A0
(250) 651-7595
 
Burns Lake Adoption Court: 508 Yellowhead Highway, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0
(250) 692-7711
 
Campbell River Adoption Court: 500-13th Avenue, Campbell River, BC, V9W 6P1
(250) 286-7510
 
Chilliwack Adoption Court: 46085 Yale Road, Chilliwack, BC, V2P 2L8
(604) 795-8350
 
Clearwater Adoption Court: 363 Myrtle Crescent, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0
(250) 674-2113
 
Courtenay Adoption Court: 420 Cumberland Road, Courtenay, BC, V9N 2C4
(250) 334-1115
 
Cranbrook Adoption Court: 102 – 11th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 2P3
(403) 381-5196
 
Dawson Creek Adoption Court: 1201 – 103 Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4J2
(250)784-2278
 
Duncan Adoption Court: 238 Government Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 1A5
(250) 746-1227
 
Fort Nelson Adoption Court: 4604 Sunset Drive, Fort Nelson, BC, V0C 1R0
(250) 774-5999
 
Fort St. John Adoption Court: 10600 – 100 Street, Fort St John, BC, V1J 4L6
(250) 787-3231
 
Golden Adoption Court: 837 Park Drive, Golden, BC, V0A 1H0
(250) 344-7581
 
Hazelton Adoption Court: (250) 287-7482
 
Kamloops Adoption Court: 455 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 6K4
(250) 828-4344
 
Kelowna Adoption Court: 1355 Water Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9R3
(250) 470-6900
 
Mackenzie Adoption Court: 64 Centennial Drive, Mackenzie, BC, V0J 2C0
(250) 997-3377
 
Massett Adoption Court: 1666 Orr Street, Masset, BC, V0T 1M0
(250) 626-5512
 
Nakusp Adoption Court: 415 Broadway Street, Nakusp, BC, V0G 1R0
(250) 265-4253
 
Naniamo Adoption Court: 35 Front Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J1
(250) 741-3805
 
Nelson Adoption Court: 320 Ward Street, Nelson, BC, V1L 1S6
(250) 354-6167
 
New Westminster Adoption Court: Law Courts – Begbie Square, New Westminster, BC, V3M 1C9
(604) 660-8522
 
North Vancouver Adoption Court: 200 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7L 4R4
(604) 981-0200
 
Penticton Adoption Court: 100 Main Street, Penticton, BC, V2A 5A5
(250) 492-1231
 
Port Coquitlam Adoption Court: Unit J, 2620 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 3B2
(604) 927-2100
 
Richmond Adoption Court: 7577 Elmbridge Way, Richmond, BC, V6X 2Z8
(604) 604-6900
 
Surrey Adoption Court: 14340 – 57th Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3X 1B2
(604) 572-2200
 
Vancouver Adoption Court: 800 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C5
(604) 660-8989
 
Victoria Adoption Court: 850 Burdett Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8W 1B4
(250) 356-1478
 
Western Communities Adoption Court: 1756 Island Highway, Victoria, BC, V9B 1H8
(250) 391-2867
 
Williams Lake Adoption Court: 540 Borland Street, Williams Lake, BC, V2G 1R8
(250) 398-4301
 

Court filing fees.

The court filing fees for an adoption in British Columbia is approximately $250. There is also a fee for the background check of about $30. There is an attorney witness fee of about $75 for each consent to be signed.

 
Step Parent Adoption in British Columbia We help families throughout British Columbia complete their stepparent adoptions without the high cost of an adoption attorney. We serve families in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Kelowna, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, Chilliwack, Prince George, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Vernon, Port Moody, Penticton, Campbell River, Langford, Langley, Courtenay, White Rock, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Port Alberni and all the other cities in British Columbia.
 

Start your British Columbia Stepparent Adoption Today!

Filing your Alberta stepparent adoption doesn’t have to be difficult.

ALBERTA ADOPTION: We understand that filing for an adoption is an extremely important time in your life. With our experience in completing stepparent adoption documents for the residents of Alberta, you can have the confidence to know that your adoption will be completed correctly and without problems.
 
Completing a stepparent adoption in Alberta doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. We guarantee that your Alberta adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept it for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards or you get your money back – 100%.
 

Important information about filing an adoption in Alberta.

All of the adoption documents and procedures for Alberta adoptions are pursuant to the Alberta Adoption Act, which addresses the legal requirements to complete a relative or stepparent adoption. Please review the information below about filing an adoption in Alberta.

With the experience of Reliable Adoption, we can simplify the process of filing a step parent adoption in Alberta by preparing all the legal documents that you will need to complete your stepparent adoption and guiding you through the entire process. This includes preparing all the legal adoption documents that you will need, including any required documents for the child, instructions to complete the Birth Father Registry search, and everything else required to complete the stepparent adoption.
 
We guarantee that your Alberta stepparent adoption documents will be accurate and that the court clerks will accept them for filing as meeting or exceeding their standards, or you get your money back – 100%. We can make this guarantee because we make it our mission to make sure our documents are complete and up-to-date with the newest court regulations. If we don’t make it right, we’ll refund your money – 100%.

Alberta Stepparent Adoption – Information you should know.

A stepparent adoption in Alberta, Canada is the most common type of adoption. It is also the simplest type of adoption because only one parent is being substituted in the proceeding. The adoption process for any type of relative adoption is based on what is in the best interest of the child. The Court will take into consideration the relationship that the child has with their stepparent and the relationship that the child has with the absent parent.
 
A stepparent adoption, as indicated in the name, involves the adoption of a child by the spouse of the child’s parent. The definition of “spouse” which is employed by the legislation is based on the Human Rights Code and includes married partners and partners living in conjugal relationships, whether it be a same-sex relationship or an opposite sex relationship.
 
The main concern of the court in a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice is the best interest of the child. The court will take into consideration the child’s wishes, the child’s physical, mental and emotional condition as well as the child’s cultural and religious background. In most circumstances, the Court will look to the fact that the request for adoption has been filed with the Court by the child’s parent as proof that the parent believes the stepparent adoption is in the child’s best interest.
 

 

Consent of the absent parent.

One critical element to the stepparent adoption process is the consent of the parties who are required to consent. In a stepparent adoption proceeding filed in Alberta, the court will require the written consent of any child being adopted who is over the age of seven (7), and both of the child’s biological parents, unless the court waives the requirement of the consent for an absent parent.
 
In many circumstances, one parent will have abandoned the child and his or her whereabouts are unknown. The court will dispense with the consent of the absent parent when it is in the child’s best interest to do so and the absent parent, whose consent has been sought, has received notice of the adoption and the application to dispense with that parents consent. It is fairly common that the other parent’s consent is not required when that parent has abandoned the child.
 

Grounds for the termination of parental rights.

The grounds which typically justify the termination of parental rights in a stepparent adoption involve abandonment, failure to support the child, and the best interests of the child. If the absent parent has abandoned the child, that parents parental rights will be terminated and the consent from that parent will not be required. Some of the issues the court will review to determine whether the absent parent has abandoned the child are as follows:

• The absent parent has abandoned the adoptee, failing to offer financial and/or emotional support for a substantial period of time.
• The absent parent has knowingly left the adoptee with the other parent without provisions for support and without communication, or otherwise maintaining a significant parental relationship with the child.

It is not required to terminate parental rights of a parent who is deceased.

Most of the stepparent adoptions we do for customers have one of the following circumstances:

• The absent natural parent is deceased.
• The absent parent has abandoned the child or children, by failing to maintain a meaningful relationship with the child(ren), and failing to provide financial support for the child(ren). In many situations, the absent parent’s whereabouts are unknown.
• The absent parent believes that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, and agrees to sign a consent to the adoption.

Please note that if the other parent has regular contact with the child and pays child support, you will not be able to complete a stepparent adoption in Alberta unless the other parent is willing to sign a consent to the adoption.
 

What it means to adopt your stepchild.

When the adoption order has been issued by the court, the child will be considered to be a child in the respect as if the child had been born to the adoptive parent.
 
This means that no person who was a family member of the absent parent can ever request the court for an order of access with the child.

Where will you file your stepparent adoption documents?

The stepparent adoption application is filed in the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice. When the stepparent adoption is finalized by the Court, your adopted child will receive a new birth certificate, showing the new parent listed on the birth certificate, and also showing the child’s new name.

Prior to filing your Application for Adoption with the Alberta Court, the petitioner and the child must have been a bona fide resident of Alberta prior to the Application for Adoption, which residency must be stated in the petition and proved at the final hearing.

Visitation by grandparents or the absent parent.

Once the adoption is finalized, the absent parent and the relatives of the absent will have no legal ability to gain visitation to the child.

ALBERTA COURT LOCATIONS:

Here is the information for all of the courts in Alberta that handle adoptions. If your region is not listed, we will include the nearest court information with your documents.

Calgary Adoption Court: Calgary Courts Centre, 601-5 Street SW, Calvary, AB T2P 5P7
(403) 297-7538

Drumheller Adoption Court: 511-3 Ave., West PO Box 759, Drumheller AB T0J0Y0
(403) 820-7300

Edmonton Adoption Court: 1A Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB T5J 0R2
(780) 422-2492

Fort McMurray Adoption Court: 9700 Franklin Ave., Fort McMurray T9H 4W3
(780) 743-7136

Grand Prairie Adoption Court: 10260-99 St., Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H4
(780) 538-5340

High Level Adoption Court: 10106-100 Ave., PO Box 1560, High Level , AB T0H 1Z0
(780) 926-3715

Hinton Adoption Court: 237 Jasper St. PO Box 6450, Hinton AB T7V 1X7
(780) 865-8280

Lethbridge Adoption Court: 320-4 St., S. Lethbridge, AB T1J 1Z8
(403) 381-5196

Medicine Hat Adoption Court: 460 First St., S. E., Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0A8
(403) 529-8710

Peace River Adoption Court: 9905-97 Ave., Bag 900-34, Peace River, AB T8S 1T4
(780) 624-6256

Red Deer Adoption Court: 4909-48 Ave., Red Deer AB T4N 3T5
(403) 340-5220

St. Paul Adoption Court: 4704-50 St., P.O. Box 1900, St. Paul AB T0A 3A0
(780) 645-6324

Wetaskiwin Adoption Court: 4605-51 St., Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 1K7
(780) 361-1258

Court filing fees.

The court filing fees for an adoption in Alberta are approximately $250. There is also a background fee of about $30 and an attorney witness fee of about $75 for each consent.

 
Step Parent Adoption in Alberta We help families throughout Alberta complete their stepparent adoptions without the high cost of an adoption attorney. We serve families in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Airdrie, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Lloydminster, Cold Lake, Brooks, Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lacombe, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Wetaskiwin and all the other cities in Alberta.
 

Start your Alberta Stepparent Adoption Today!