Okay, here's all the info... I had my daughter when I was young and we haven't seen/heard from her "Dad" since she was 2 weeks old, almost 5 years ago. We've never recieved any child support and we have no contact with his family, either. His name isn't on her birth certificate and she doesn't have his last name. There is no proof that he is her father. I got married in 2005 and my husband would like to adopt my daughter. We live in Missouri.
What is the process for step parent adoption?
We've heard you have to publish something in the newspaper, is that true?
Will we have to try to find/contact her father even though everything states that he is "unknown"?
Will we need a lawyer?
How much does the process cost?
Does that include changing her last name (Currantly she has my maiden name.)
Is there such a thing as a Child Abondonment Law and if so, what is it?
Thank you so much for any info you have!!
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