[LunaSea]

My husband and I have been married for almost 3 years and he wants to adopt his stepdaughter. We are currently stationed in MD and our home of record is NC. If necessary we could go to NC to make any court appearances or anything like that as it is only about a 7 hour trip. I would like to know some of the basics about step parent adoption. For example given our home of record is NC but we currently reside in MD can we even go about a step-parent adoption in NC? If so, could some one tell me what the process is. For example, will we need to get a social worker involved or a court appointed phsychiatrist? Will e have to appear in court? What papers need to be filed and where can we get them? Can anyone get the papers for us so we can prepare them and then bring them back completed and signed? What papers need a notary? These are some of the questions I have. I think nost of them applies to most everyone, with the exception of the we reside here in MD but claim NC as home. (We also pay taxes there.) Also, the bio-dad has agreed to give up paternal rights but I only have about a month to get them before he moves out of state. (He is moving to IN) If anyone has any info at all about this please contact me or reply here. Thank you.

[LunaSea]

Well, I have found out that since we live in MD this is where we need to file. If you will look under the MD state info here in the forums... you will see the progress as it happens. We have to do it all pro se (without an attorney or "do it yourself style") because it is cheaper than hiring an attny and JAG can not represent us in this matter. So if you have any MD related questions please go there. I am sure that even if you are not in MD you may be able to get just some basics. I will post descriptions about every step in the process. I hope what I go through will help someone.