Adoption of Adults

Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 127 governs Adoption of Adults. In the State of Nevada, "any adult person may adopt any other adult person younger than himself or herself, except the spouse of the adopting person."

The Petition for Adoption must be filed in the district court in the county in which either the person adopting or the person to be adopted resides.

The agreement of adoption must be in writing and shall be executed by the person adopting and the person to be adopted, and shall set forth that the parties agree to assume toward each other the legal relation of parent and child, and to have all the rights and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities of that relation.

A married person who is not lawfully separated from his or her spouse may not adopt an adult person without the consent of the spouse of the adopting person.

A married person who is not lawfully separated from his or her spouse may not be adopted without the consent of the spouse of the person to be adopted.

The consent of the natural parents of the person to be adopted is not required, nor of any other person is required.

The adopting person and the person to be adopted must appear for a hearing. At the hearing, they shall examine the parties, or the counsel of any party not present in person. If the court is satisfied that the adoption will be in the best interests of the parties and in the public interest, and that there is no reason why the petition should not be granted, the court shall approve the agreement of adoption, and enter a decree of adoption declaring that the person adopted is the child of the person adopting him or her. Although unlikely, the court may withhold approval of the agreement and deny the Petition for Adoption.