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Adoption
Adoption

Adult Adoption

These standard instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice about your case. If you choose to represent yourself, you are bound by the same rules and procedures as an attorney.

Access to Adult Adoption Forms

Colorado Judicial Branch has compiled all forms required for Adult Adoption.

View Forms

About Adult Adoption

  • An adult adoption is when a person takes into their family someone 18 or older.
  • This adopted adult is now an heir who will inherit property or money when that person dies.

For more information, consult Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) section (§) 14-1-101.

Step by Step

Step 1: Forms

You will need a packet for each adult you want to adopt.

  • JDF 528 - Petition for Adult Adoption
  • JDF 530 - Notice and Summons (skip if JDF 529 is filed with the Petition)
  • JDF 529 - Answer/Consent
  • JDF 531 - Adoption Decree

Step 2: File

  1. Give the completed forms to the district court in the county where you (or the adult to be adopted) live. 
  2. The clerk will let you know the filing fee.
    1.  If you can't afford the fee, visit our File Without Payment section for waiver information.

Step 3: Formal Notification

Note: skip this step if the adult to be adopted filled out the Answer/Consent form (JDF 529).

The formal notification to the adult to be adopted is called personal service, or Service of Process.

  1. Provide the person serving the paperwork with two copies each of the Summons, Petition, and Answer.
  2. The process server will return the original Summons to you with the Affidavit of Service completed. Give the affidavit to the court right away.
  3. You are responsible for paying their service fees, if any.

Step 4: Response

Note: If you receive Adult Adoption paperwork from a process server, sheriff, or other individual, you are the Adoptee.

  1. Fill out the Answer (JDF 529).
  2. File your answer with the Court (address on the 1st page of the summons).

After Paperwork Is Filed

After the Petition for Adult Adoption

If you had the paperwork served, the bottom part of the summons should be completed by the person who served the petition on the adult you want to adopt.

What Happens Next?

Once the court receives the Answer/Consent from the adult you want to adopt, the court will look at all the paperwork and may allow the adoption and sign the decree. If the person you want to adopt does not consent to the adoption, your Petition will be dismissed.

Check with the court to see when you can expect to receive the Decree for Adult Adoption.

Additional Resources