Adoption of an adult is a simpler procedure than adoption of a child. The only consent necessary will be between the adoptive parent(s) and the adoptee. Therefore, there is no need to notify, consult with, or obtain consent of the biological parent or parents.

Adult adoptions usually happen because the people involved want to make an existing parent-child relationship "legal". With that legal relationship comes the ability to inherit from each other as parent and child, the ability to change the adoptee's last name, and the formal recognition of the relationship for legal purposes.

Adult adoption, however, does not convey any immigration benefits between the parties. In order to be considered for an immigration benefit, the adoptee must be adopted by age 16 (or age 18 in certain, very limited circumstances where a sibling of the adoptee was already adopted by the parent(s) and all specific conditions are met).

Adult adoptions are very often "stepparent" adoptions. These situations are generally ones in which the stepparent has acted as a parent but the bio parent would not agree to terminate his/her rights and agree to the adoption. Sometimes the biological parent could not be found, or it was inadvisable to contact the bio parent for some reason (such as safety to the child). In many cases, the legal stepparent is the only "dad" or "mom" that the adult child has ever known. These types of stepparent adoptions are wonderful because the parties involved are finally granted the legal recognition for their parent-child relationship that has existed for years!

An adult adoptee has to be ready and able to swear under oath that the adoption is not sought for any improper purpose (such as evasion of creditors or "hiding" from a legal responsibility).

Just as in child adoptions, adult adoptions are generally very happy and long-anticipated events which are celebrated by all the parties.