[willm666]

Can I adopt my 18 year old step daughter with out the biological fathers consent? My daughter is very keen

[smoothy]

No... without the biological parents consent... its not going to happen. The assumption being the court never terminated their parental rights.

[GV70]

No....without the biological parents consent...its not going to happen. The assumption being the court never terminated their parental rights.

Hmmm... if the OP lives in the USA then the OP will have chances to do it. It depends on the state legislation.

Examples:
Alabama Code § 26-10A-6-The following persons may be adopted:

(1) A minor.

(2) An adult under any one of the following conditions:

a. He or she is totally and permanently disabled.

b. He or she is determined to be mentally retarded.

But see Virginia code 63.2-1243. Adoption of certain persons eighteen years of age or over.
(a) No consent of either parent shall be required;

[smoothy]

BUT for someone to be adopted by someone... someone else has to surrender their parental rights. Or it could get really ugly. But most of those scenarios would be with minor children.

But the courts are involved in any case.

And you did raise a very good point. What country does the OP live in. We have enough members in other English speaking countries (and plenty that aren't) to be able to assume residence of any one of them.

[ScottGem]

The main reason for an adult adoption is to establish inheritance. Once a person becomes an adult, they no longer need permission from their current legal parents to change legal parentage.

Not all areas allow for adult adoption. ANY question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area. For example the UK does not permit this.

[JudyKayTee]

BUT for someone to be adopted by someone....someone else has to surrender their parental rights. Or it could get really ugly. But most of those scenarios would be with minor children.

But the courts are involved in any case.

And you did raise a very good point. What country does the OP live in. We have enough members in other English speaking countries (and plenty that aren't) to be able to assume residence of any one of them.

Adults don't need parental consent. Varies somewhat by State but it's been asked, answered, researched before.

[smoothy]

I didn't pay enough attention to the ADULT portion of it which I assume would make a great difference.