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A non-family member can petition the court to adopt a child they are caring for if: 

• The birth parents have abandoned the child for one year or more, or 
• The birth parents have failed to provide reasonable support for the child, such as failing to pay child support, for one year or more. 
• The non-family member must have legal custody over the child established either through an Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) or Guardianship case. The non-family member will petition the court for a “Custodial Adoption.” C.R.S. § 19-5-203(k)

A person convicted of a felony in the following areas will not be allowed to adopt: 

• Child abuse or neglect 
• Spousal abuse 
• Any crime against a child, including, but not limited to, child pornography 
• Any crime of domestic violence 
• Violation of a protection order 
• Any crime involving violence, rape, sexual assault or homicide 
• Any felony physical assault or batter conviction or felony drug-related conviction within the past 5 years. C.R.S. §§ 19-5-207(2.5)(a) and 208(5). 
  • A person convicted of a misdemeanor in the above areas may be allowed to adopt with court approval. C.R.S. § 19-5-207(2.5)(b)(I).

Visit the Adoption Self-help forms page. 

You will want to check with your local courthouse to make sure, but most courthouses will take Cash, Check, Credit Card, Debit Card or Money Order as acceptable forms of payment. Proof of ID will be required.

Yes, complete JDF 205 Motion to File without Payment and Supporting Financial Affidavit and JDF 206 Finding and Order Concerning Payment of Fees and file them with the court at the same time you file your case. The court may request copies of your last three months bank statements and pay stubs. The court may; waive the filing fees, set up a payment plan, or require you pay the filing fees in full. 

Filing fees are not refundable except by order of the court.

Depending on your case, there may be. If you have to have a party served after your filing, you may to pay the server a fee for service to the other party. 

If your case has already been filed and finalized, and you are not coming back to the court to request a motion for modification of a court order, there may be a fee for that.