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JDF499

Instructions for Custodial Adoption

Colorado · Colorado Judicial Branch · Effective May 1, 2026

This document provides general instructions for the process of a custodial adoption. It lists requirements for the people involved, such as age and background checks, and details the steps needed to file the case with the court.

Open the official PDFfrom Colorado Judicial Branch

Where this fits in a case

General & info

Information / general use — not tied to one step of a case

This information is used by people who are planning to file a Petition for Custodial Adoption in Colorado. It outlines the necessary background checks and steps before filing the case.

Either party may file.

Common questions

What is the filing fee for this process?
The filing fee is $197.00 for each adoption. There is also a response fee of $222.00.
Who needs to file this form?
This document provides instructions for the Petitioner, who is the person or people starting the Petition for Adoption.
Does this form tell me what to do in my specific case?
The document states that these instructions are for informational purposes only and do not count as legal advice for your case.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect May 1, 2026.

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    Verified Statement of Fees Charged

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    This form officially notifies someone that a Petition for Adoption has been filed in court. It tells the person who received it that they have a set amount of time to file a response with the court.

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    This form allows a person who is a respondent in an adoption case to sign a document saying they have received certain court papers. It also includes a section for someone who served the papers to sign, proving they delivered the documents.

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