How is regular adoption different from an adult adoption?

In general, an adult adoption is simpler than the adoption of a child or minor (a/k/a “regular adoption”).

With a child adoption, the law puts in place certain safety measures to protect the child. The process of adopting a child can be drawn out and more expensive because it requires either consent from the birth parent(s) or termination of a birth parent’s parental rights, as well as a home study, background checks, medical histories, and other investigations and reports to determine whether the adoption is in the child’s best interest.

In contrast, with an adult adoption, consent is given by the person to be adopted, not the birth parent.  So in Texas, the process involves the adoptive parent filing a petition with the court and the adult being adopted granting permission for the adoption.  No investigations or reports are required.