Adult Adoption in Colorado: Process, Forms, and Requirements

Adult adoption often surprises people. Most assume adoption only applies to children. But Colorado law allows adults to be legally adopted by another adult, and the reasons families pursue it range from formalizing a step-parent relationship that was never legally established, to creating inheritance rights for someone raised informally by a family member, to recognizing a meaningful relationship that simply never had a legal name.

Here's how it works in Colorado and what to expect.

Who Can Be Adopted as an Adult in Colorado

Under Colorado law, an adult — meaning someone over 18 — can be adopted, and the adopted adult must consent to the arrangement. There is no upper age limit. A 60-year-old can adopt a 40-year-old. A 35-year-old can adopt a 28-year-old. The requirements, cost, and timing vary by case.

Unlike minor child adoption, adult adoption in Colorado generally uses a simplified procedure. Requirements such as a home study, background checks, agency involvement, and a hearing depend on the case.

Common Reasons Families Pursue Adult Adoption in Colorado

Formalizing step-parent relationships. The most common scenario: a step-parent raised a child from a young age, but the adoption was never formally completed — perhaps because the non-custodial biological parent wouldn't consent, or because it simply wasn't pursued at the time. Once the child is an adult, the parties can explore adult adoption, subject to the applicable consent and court requirements.

Inheritance and estate planning. Colorado inheritance law gives legally adopted children inheritance rights as legal children. Adult adoption can establish inheritance rights for a person raised informally by a family member — a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend. This is particularly relevant when biological relatives of the adopting adult might contest an estate.

Recognizing long-term guardian relationships. Individuals who were raised by foster parents, kinship caregivers, or informal guardians sometimes pursue adult adoption once they're old enough to consent, to create a permanent legal bond with the people who raised them.

LGBTQ+ family recognition. In some situations, adult adoption has been used by same-sex couples to create legally recognized family relationships in earlier years when other options weren't available. While marriage equality has addressed most of these situations, legacy cases still exist.

The Adult Adoption Process in Colorado

Step 1: Confirm consent.

Both parties must consent to the adoption in writing. Unlike minor adoption, there are no biological parent rights to terminate — the adoptee is an adult making their own legal decision. If the adoptee is married, ask the court or counsel whether any additional spouse-consent requirement applies to the case.

Step 2: File the petition.

The petition is filed in District Court. The applicable petition form, filing venue, and fee depend on the case, so confirm current requirements with the court or counsel.

Step 3: Attend the hearing.

The court may schedule a hearing at which the judge confirms that the parties understand the legal effects of the adoption and are consenting voluntarily. The required procedure and timing vary by case.

Step 4: Final Decree of Adoption.

If the court is satisfied, it issues a final decree of adoption. This decree creates a legal child relationship with the adopting parent, with attendant inheritance rights, name-change options, and family-relationship changes.

Step 5: Post-adoption documentation.

Post-adoption documentation depends on the case. Since 2016, adult adoptees born in Colorado can access their original birth certificate through CDPHE Vital Records.

Legal Effects of Adult Adoption

Once finalized, adult adoption in Colorado creates the same legal relationship as any other adoption:

• The adoptee becomes a legal heir of the adopting parent, with intestate succession rights
• The adopting parent's relatives (siblings, parents) become the adoptee's legal relatives for inheritance purposes
• The adoptee can take the adopting parent's surname if desired
• The effect on existing biological-family legal relationships depends on the case and should be confirmed before filing

The legal relationship changes should be reflected in estate planning documents — wills, trusts, beneficiary designations on financial accounts and life insurance policies should all be updated after finalization.

Do You Need an Attorney for Adult Adoption in Colorado

Adult adoption may be accessible to self-represented parties because consent is central, but the requirements vary and complications may require an attorney.

That said, if there are any complications — spousal consent complications, estate planning implications, family disputes about the adoption, or questions about how it affects existing legal documents — consulting with a family law attorney is worthwhile. The reports place the average Colorado family-law rate at $321–$327 per hour, while individual quotes vary by attorney and case.

The Colorado Adoption Process Guide covers both the minor and adult adoption pathways under Colorado law, including the specific forms, court procedures, and post-finalization steps that apply to each situation.

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