Adult Adoption

PLEASE NOTE:   This information is provided as a public service and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have legal questions about the form or the procedure, please contact an attorney as Probate staff members cannot give legal advice.

To Open an Adult Adoption Proceeding

NOTE:  The Petition for Adult Adoption must be filed in the county in which the petitioner resides.

If a name change is requested that is a separate action which is to be filed with the Sauk County Clerk of Court Office.  The matters will be heard separately at the same time.

Please file the following:

HEARING:

1. Both the Petitioner and the adult to be adopted must attend the hearing.
2. On the hearing date, please bring a check or money order in the amount of $20.00 payable to the State of Wisconsin Vital Records for registration of the adoption with the State of Wisconsin Vital Records.  If a name change and change of birth certificate (Wisconsin born only) is requested, please bring a check or money order in the amount of $40.00 payable to the State of Wisconsin Vital Records for registration of the adoption with the State of Wisconsin Vital Records and issuance of a new certified birth certificate.  If more than one copy of the new birth certificate is requested, please include $3.00 for each additional copy. Probate staff will submit the Report of Adoption and your check or money order to the State of Wisconsin Vital Records for anyone born in the State of Wisconsin.  For individuals born outside the State of Wisconsin the completed certified Report of Adoption and one certified copy of the Order on Petition for Adult Adoption will be provided for filing with the state of birth.

FORMS:

A packet of forms is available from the Register in Probate for $10.00.

Forms are available on line in PDF or Word Format at www.wicourts.gov .  Select Forms - Circuit Court - General  - and select forms as listed above.