My friend is having a baby and wants us to adopt or get legle rights to her baby she is due sometime in januwery. I'm just trying to get answers on what I need to do to get this thing up and going/started.

Where are you? This is an International site.

You need, for starters, to have the written consent of BOTH parents.

This is nothing to be handled without an Attorney.

Are you talking about adoption, guardianship or something else?

what I need to do to get this thing up and going/started.

Simple answer, get an attorney. The attorney will know what needs to be done, what papers to file who needs to be contacted etc.

This is not something you can do yourself and be sure its done right.

How long have you been married ?