What’s the difference between a step-parent adoption and an adult adoption?

That’s a trick question – sometimes, they can be the same thing!

An adult adoption is often used by step-parents of adult step-children to formalize their parent-child relationship.  (What are some of the other reasons for an adult adoption?  Find out here.)  However, if the person being adopted is a minor, then the process of step-parent adoption is different because the State puts safeguards in place to protect minors.