The Adoption of an

Adult by an Adult

In New Jersey, an adult may adopt another adult.   Generally, an adult is anyone eighteen (18) years old or older.  (1) Unless waived by the Court, the consent of the person adopted is required.  An adult may be adopted by an unmarried adult, a married person with the consent of his or her spouse or a married couple jointly.  If the adoption is approved a judgment is entered and the rights of the natural parents to inherit from the adult person adopted are terminated but the right of the person adopted to inherit from the natural parents is preserved.  All other relations between the natural parent and the person who is adopted are terminated.  In general, the relationship between the adopted person and the adopting parents are the same as if the person adopted had been born to the adopting parents.