Suzanne Born Assisted Reproduction and Adoption Law

Stepparent, Second Parent and Relative Adoption

Adoption Attorney in Minnesota

Experienced Representation in Stepparent and Second Parent Adoptions

When you marry someone who has children, you may consider legally adopting those children. In addition to giving the children a sense of belonging to the new family, formal adoption offers legal benefits as well. In a stepparent or second parent adoption, you want an experienced lawyer to protect your interests and help shepherd you through the process.

From my law office in Golden Valley, I am experienced in handling a wide range of issues related to adoption, including stepparent, second parent and relative adoptions. I understand the emotional impact these matters have and provide responsive, compassionate and thorough representation to individuals in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and throughout the state of Minnesota. Contact me to set up a free initial consultation.

Stepparent Adoptions

Under Minnesota law, a stepparent seeking to adopt minor children must:

• Provide a certified copy of the child's birth certificate
• Complete a search of the Minnesota Father's Adoption Registry
• Submit to a fingerprint background check through the Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Prepare and file the necessary court documents

I work with stepparents, whether the adoption is uncontested or the biological non-custodial parent is contesting the adoption. Many of my clients come to me shortly after their marriage, but I also handle stepparent adoptions when families have been together for a significant period of time, after the adopting parent and child have had an opportunity to bond.

Second Parent Adoptions

In a second parent adoption, a party unrelated by marriage establishes parental rights to a minor child. Second parent adoptions are most commonly used by same sex couples, but can also be beneficial in other situations. To complete a second parent adoption successfully in Minnesota, you must obtain permission from the court to file the adoption petition.

I provide the same services to individuals in second parent adoptions that I do in stepparent adoptions. I have extensive experience in these types of adoptions, having completed the first second parent same sex adoption in Minnesota in 1991. I have completed second parent adoptions in Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chisago, Cottonwood, Dakota, Hennepin, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Washington and Wright counties.

Relative Adoptions

For experienced representation throughout the state of Minnesota in matters related to stepparent and second parent adoptions, contact my office or call me at 763-231-9600 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we will work to protect your interests during this unifying family event.

Suzanne Born
Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Law
2440 Brookridge Avenue
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Telephone: 763-231-9600
Fax: 763-546-1270
E-mail

At the law office of Suzanne Born, I work with individuals and couples throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and the state of Minnesota, including the communities of Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Chaska, Wayzata, Maple Grove, Eagan, Woodbury, Stillwater, St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester and Mankato.

Hennepin County ♦ Ramsey County ♦ Wright County ♦ Washington County ♦ Scott County ♦ Anoka County ♦ Sherburne County ♦ St. Louis County ♦ all counties in Minnesota