[txtaylor]

Hi Lloana,

OK, first things first, do you have the petition for the adoption? Is this a step-parent adoption? If so, I can email you the petition and other forms that are necessary for you. Once all of these are completed you will then go to your district clerk's office and file your paperwork. This usually costs approximately $150 - $200 depending on your county. Once this is completed you can then go to your local police department and ask them if they could fingerprint you for an adoption. They may charge you a couple of $$$ for doing this. Once you have that completed you will then need to send it to the Texas DPS. I can give you the address for them also. Send them a letter along with the fingerprint card giving them permission to do a background check and where to send the results when they are done. Send $15 along with it for processing fees. You will know what court your case is assigned to when you file your paperwork. Take a couple of copies of the petition and stuff so they can file stamp your copies. Once you find out what court your case is assigned to you can then contact the court clerk for that court and ask if the judge will require a social study for a step-parent adoption since the state of Texas doesn't require one for step-parent adoptions. If the judge requires one you will need to go in front of the judge and have him/her assign a counselor to do this. You will then need to contact that person and set a time to have your social study completed. Once the fingerprint results are back and only if you are required to have a social study those results are sent in you can then go to court. You might need to set a court date, but a lot of courts if it's not contested they have a specific time during the week that you just show up and the judge will hear your case. If I can be of further assistance let me know. I also have the form to send to the Bureau of Vital Statistics to have the birth certificate amended.

Good luck and best of wishes!