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ADOPT-203Mandatory

Stepparent Adoption Request

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective July 1, 2025

This form is used to start a case asking the court to approve a stepparent adoption. It asks for information about the adopting parent, the child, and details about the adoption itself.

The court describes it as: Start a stepparent adoption case. This tells the court who is being adopted and other information about the adoption.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when someone wants to start the legal process to adopt a child who is not their biological child.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
The adopting parent fills out this form. If a lawyer is helping, the lawyer must also sign it. The court clerk will fill in the case number and hearing date. Great care must be taken to fill out all sections accurately.
What does this form ask the court for?
The form asks the court to approve the adoption and legally declare the adopting parent and the child as parent and child. It also asks the court to date its order approving the adoption.
Are there other forms needed?
The form mentions that if there are other people who might be the child's parent, the person filling out the form will need to get other forms and paperwork.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect July 1, 2025.

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