Where do I file my adult adoption?

Texas Family Code Sec. 162.502 states:

JURISDICTION.  The petitioner shall file a suit to adopt an adult in the district court or a statutory county court granted jurisdiction in family law cases and proceedings by Chapter 25, Government Code, in the county of the petitioner’s residence.

What does that mean?  It means that the adoptive parent should file the suit for adult adoption in the district or county court that handles family law cases in the county in which the adoptive parent lives.

Adoption Tip!  If you are unsure of whether your local court handles these types of cases, call the local court clerk and ask them, “Are you a district or statutory county court granted jurisdiction in family law cases and proceedings by Chapter 25 of the Texas Government Code?”  If they say, “yes”, then you can file there.  If they say, “no”, then ask them to direct you to the right clerk and keep calling until you find the right one.