It can be incredible for a child to know that his or her stepfather wants to adopt and make their father-child relationship official. In Illinois, the adoption process can be straightforward, but it can also become complicated when the biological father is unknown.
In such cases, adoption can still move forward, but important legal steps are necessary to ensure everything is done correctly. If you want to adopt your stepchild and there is no known biological father in the picture, speak with a qualified Wheaton, IL adoption lawyer to understand your options.
Is Paternal Consent Required for Adoption?
When someone in Illinois wants to adopt a child, both biological parents typically need to give their consent. Naturally, it is fairly easy to identify a biological mother, but it is not always so clear-cut with fathers. The adoption process can be different when the biological father is unknown or uninvolved in the child’s life.