STEPPARENT ADOPTION

Bringing stepfamilies closer together, making 'family' the only word that matters.

Start Your Journey

Considering Adopting Your StepChildren in Alberta?

If you are a stepfamily looking to incorporate your children into a more legally formal family unit, you will participate in “The Alberta Stepparent or Spousal Adoption Program”.

“Stepparent” adoption in Alberta refers to adoptions where:

  • The legal parent of a child has married or formed an Adult Interdependent Relationship

  • The child is under the age of 18 (if they are over 18, an Adult Adoption can be done)

  • The stepparent wishes to legally adopt the child

  • The legal guardian consents to the adoption

  • The adopting party reside within the jurisdiction of Alberta

A Stepparent adoption means never having to say “Step” in front of “Family”, “Child”, “Son”, “Mom”, “Dad”, “Mother” or “Father” ever again. If you have ever endured feeling obliged to use any of those words, you will know how powerful it is to not have to identify yourself or your family ever again in that way.

Perhaps, and most importantly, Stepparent Adoption means never having to say or hear things such as: “Well. He’s not really my Dad, but he’s been just like a father to me”.

How to Get Started

Stepparent adoption starts with a realistic evaluation of your family composition.

For legal reasons, Stepparent Adoption does not suit situations where both biological parents are actively involved and contributing. Currently, the law only recognizes a maximum of two legal parents, whereby an adoption removes a biological parent from a birth certificate. While this may be warranted in some cases, there are many cases where it is not.

There are, however, many situations where the biological parent in question may not be contributing, or may not have any legal standing in terms of the child. In other circumstances, a non-involved biological parent may consent to relinquish their parenting rights and responsibilities. Maybe the biological father or biological mother is not present. Small Miracles will help evaluate your blended family and outline all of your adoption options.

These are situations where Stepparent adoptions are most appropriate and effective.

Small Miracles can provide you with the necessary information and assist you in evaluating whether Stepparent Adoption is appropriate for your family. If the child is 12 years of age or older, they are part of this process by signing their own “consent” to the adoption!

If Stepparent Adoption is right for you, Small Miracles will assemble all of the required supporting documents and complete and submit all of the applications and forms required by the Courts on your behalf.