Adopting a Child in Alaska

A married couple together, an unmarried adult, or an unmarried parent may adopt; a married person may adopt alone only in limited cases, such as when the other spouse is the child's parent and consents. Adoptions are filed in the superior court where the petitioner or child lives or where the placing agency is located. Consent is generally required from the mother, a legal father, anyone with legal custody, and the child if 10 or older (unless the court dispenses with it). Consent is not needed from a parent who abandoned the child for at least six months, or who for at least a year significantly failed without justifiable cause to communicate meaningfully with or support a child in someone else's custody. Consent may be withdrawn within 10 days, and after that only with court approval before the decree. The state or a court-designated agency investigates the adoptive home before the hearing unless an exception applies.

A married person may adopt without the spouse joining when the spouse is the child's parent and consents. Unless the court directs otherwise, no home investigation and report is required when a stepparent is the petitioner, and notice to the state department is not required. The other parent's consent is needed unless an exception applies, such as abandonment for six months or failing for at least a year, without justifiable cause, to communicate meaningfully with or support the child.