Rule 5:11.Action for Adoption of Adult

Last amended September 1, 2011 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5:11 sets the short procedure for adopting an adult: a complaint stating three things, the adoptee's own acknowledged written request, any non-adopting partner's consent, and a verification against collusion.

Full Text of Rule 5:11

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(a) Complaint. In every action for the adoption of an adult, the complaint shall state (1) the name, age and place of residence of the plaintiff and the person to be adopted; (2) the name by which the person to be adopted shall thereafter be known; (3) whether the person to be adopted is possessed of any property, with a full description thereof, if any.

(b) Written Requests to Accompany Complaint. There shall be filed with the complaint a request in writing for the adoption and, if desired, the change of name, which request shall be signed by the person to be adopted and shall be acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgements of deed.

(c) Consent of Spouse, Civil Union or Domestic Partner. There shall be filed with the complaint a certification by any nonadopting spouse, civil union or domestic partner consenting to the adoption.

(d) Affidavit of Verification and Non-Collusion. There shall be attached to every complaint for adoption an oath or affirmation by the plaintiff(s) that the allegations of the complaint are true to the best of the party's knowledge, information and belief, and that the pleading is made in truth and good faith and without collusion for the causes set forth therein.

(e) Court Hearing. The court may hear the case upon the oral testimony of the parties to the action and of other persons as the court deems necessary.

End

Amendment History

New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “Note” beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; a “Source” line names the former rule the current one grew out of, and “R. (1969)” citations refer to the earlier numbering it replaced.

Note: Source-R. (1969) 4:95. Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; text amended and redesignated as paragraphs (a), (b), and (e), captions for paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) adopted, new paragraphs (c) and (d) caption and text adopted July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011.

Plain-English Summary

Adult adoption is a fraction of the length of child adoption, because the protections that make child adoption long — agency investigation, home study, termination of a parent's rights — have no work to do. The person being adopted can speak for themselves.

The complaint states three things: the name, age and place of residence of the plaintiff and of the person to be adopted; the name by which that person will afterwards be known; and whether they own any property, fully described.

Two documents accompany it. A written request for the adoption — and for a change of name if desired — signed by the person being adopted and acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgements of deed. And a certification from any non-adopting spouse, civil union or domestic partner consenting to the adoption. As in every adoption, an oath that the allegations are true and made without collusion is attached. The court may hear the case on the oral testimony of the parties and of anyone else it deems necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an adult be adopted in New Jersey?

Yes. Rule 5:11 sets the procedure — a complaint stating the parties' names, ages and residences, the name the adoptee will take, and any property they own.

Does the adult being adopted have to consent?

Yes. A written request for the adoption, signed by the person to be adopted and acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgements of deed, is filed with the complaint.

Does a spouse have to agree?

A certification consenting to the adoption must be filed by any non-adopting spouse, civil union partner or domestic partner.

Can the adoptee change their name?

The written request filed with the complaint may cover a change of name if desired, and the complaint states the name by which the person will thereafter be known.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court, Part V (N.J. Ct. R. 5:11). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: adult adoptionadopting an adultchange of name adoptionstepparent adult adoption