All Comparison Tables
Adoption Requirements
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026
Compare adoption requirements across all 50 states including minimum age, residency requirements, home study mandates, and consent provisions.
50 States4 data columnsLast updated: Mar 2025
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Min Age | Residency | Home Study | Consent From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 19 (or married minor) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents (unless rights terminated) |
| Alaska | 19 (10 yrs older than child) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 10+ must consent |
| Arizona | 18 (or married adult) | Resident for certification | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Arkansas | 21 (or married 18+) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 10+ must consent |
| California | 18 (10 yrs older than child) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Colorado | 21 (or married with spouse 21+) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ may consent |
| Connecticut | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Delaware | 21 (unless relative or spouse's child) | 6 months residency preferred | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Florida | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Georgia | 21 (or married 21+ couple) or 25 single | 6 months residency required | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Hawaii | 18 | 1 year residency (waivable) | Required | Both birth parents; child 10+ must consent |
| Idaho | 18 (or married minor with spouse 18+) | 6 months residency (waivable) | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Illinois | 21 | 6 months residency required | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Indiana | 18 | 6 months residency preferred | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Iowa | 18 | 180 days residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ should consent |
| Kansas | 18 | 60 days residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Kentucky | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Louisiana | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents |
| Maine | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Maryland | 21 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 10+ should consent |
| Massachusetts | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Michigan | 18 | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ should be consulted |
| Minnesota | 21 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Mississippi | 21 (or married couple with one 21+) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Missouri | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents |
| Montana | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Nebraska | 19 (age of majority) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Nevada | 18 (10 yrs older than child) | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| New Hampshire | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| New Jersey | 18 (10 yrs older than child) | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents |
| New Mexico | 18 (10 yrs older than child) | 90 days residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| New York | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| North Carolina | 18 | 6 months residency preferred | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ should consent |
| North Dakota | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 10+ must consent |
| Ohio | 18 | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Oklahoma | 21 | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Oregon | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Rhode Island | 18 (15 yrs older than child) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| South Carolina | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents |
| South Dakota | 18 (10 yrs older than child) | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Tennessee | 18 | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Texas | 21 (or married to parent's spouse) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Utah | 21 (or married) | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Vermont | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Virginia | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Washington | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| West Virginia | 18 | No residency requirement | Required | Both birth parents; child 12+ must consent |
| Wisconsin | 18 | 6 months residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
| Wyoming | 18 (or married) | 60 days residency | Required | Both birth parents; child 14+ must consent |
Adoption laws vary by type of adoption (agency, private, international, stepparent). Requirements may differ. Always consult a family law attorney and your state's adoption authority for current requirements.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.