Alaska Adoption Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Heather Biddle, Esq. | Last reviewed December 09, 2022
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Adoption is regulated and governed at the state level, although state adoption laws are fairly similar to one another. These laws determine the specific requirements (and restrictions) for adoptive parents, who may be adopted, residency requirements, and other details.
Read on to learn about Alaska-specific statutes for adoption law.
Alaska Adoption Laws at a Glance
As is the case in most states, Alaska law allows any person to be adopted (even adults) but those 10 and older must consent to the adoption in most cases. While Alaska requires a home residency process prior to the finalization of the adoption, no exact period of time is indicated in the statute. See the Alaska Office of Children's Services Adoption & Guardianship website to learn more about the adoption process and to view profiles of children in need of permanent homes.
The following table lists additional details of adoption laws in Alaska. See FindLaw's Adoption section for more articles and resources.
| Code Section | 25.23.010 to 25.23.240 of the Alaska Statutes |
|---|---|
| Who May Be Adopted | Any person |
| Age that Child's Consent Needed | 10 years and older unless the court dispenses with the minor's consent in the minor's best interest |
| Who May Adopt | Spouses together; unmarried adult, including father or mother of the person to be adopted; a married person without other spouse joining, if the other spouse is not the person to be adopted, and the other person is the parent of the adoptee and consents to adoption or consent is excused by court or spouses are legally separated. |
| Home Residency Required Prior to Finalization of Adoption? | Yes, but no specified length of time is required |
| State Agency/Court | Health & Social Services/Superior, Juvenile Division |
| Statute of Limitations to Challenge | 1 year |
Note: State laws may change at any time through the enactment of newly passed laws, decisions in higher courts, and other means. You may want to contact an Alaska adoption law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
- Alaska Law
- Official State Codes -- Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Alaska Adoption Laws: Related Resources
Get Legal Help From an Adoption Law Attorney
The adoption journey can be complicated because of the legal obstacles involved. An experienced adoption law attorney can help you navigate these laws. They can also help advocate for you and your future child throughout the process.
Speak to a well-versed adoption law attorney today.
Was this helpful?
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.