Wash. Rev. Code » Title 26 · Chapter 26.33
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.33.140 (2026)

Who may adopt or be adopted

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Any person may be adopted, regardless of his or her age or residence.
(2) Any person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.
[ 1984 c 155 s 14.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1994–2019 · leading case: Avery v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 150 Wash. 2d 409 (Wash. 2003).
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Avery v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 150 Wash. 2d 409 (Wash. 2003). · cites it 4× “RCW 26.33.140 (entitled “Who may adopt or be adopted”) provides that “[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.”
In Re Adoption of BT, 78 P.3d 634 (Wash. 2003). · cites it 4× “RCW 26.33.140 (entitled "Who may adopt or be adopted") provides that "[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.”
Andersen v. King Cnty., 138 P.3d 963 (Wash. 2006). · cites it 2× “See RCW 26.33.140 (adoption not limited to married couples).”
Andersen v. King Cnty., 158 Wash. 2d 1 (Wash. 2006). · cites it 2× “See RCW 26.33.140 (adoption not limited to married couples).”
Lucas v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 870 P.2d 1037 (Wash. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 2× “persons under RCW 26.33.140 to petition to adopt the minor child”; 2.”
State ex rel. D.R.M. v. Wood, 109 Wash. App. 182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 26.33.140. The law does not prohibit artificial insemination of a single woman that could result in only one parent for the child.”
State Ex Rel. Drm, 34 P.3d 887 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “RCW 26.33.140. The law does not prohibit artificial insemination of a single woman that could result in only one parent for the child.”
McKinney v. State, 134 Wash. 2d 388 (Wash. 1998). “Although “[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent”, RCW 26.33.140(2), it does not follow that every such person is a “prospective adoptive parent” with the right to commence adoption proceedings and obtain…”
McKinney v. State, 950 P.2d 461 (Wash. 1998). “Although "[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent", RCW 26.33.140(2), it does not follow that every such person is a "prospective adoptive parent" with the right to commence adoption proceedings and obtain…”
In Re The Adoption Of: M.j.w., 438 P.3d 1244 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “, Patti could only participate in the adoption proceedings if she was a prospective adoptive parent. In B.T., our Supreme Court held that a grandmother and stepfather had standing to intervene in a post- termination adoption proceeding, so long as they met the requirements of an…”
In re the Adoption of S.H., 279 P.3d 474 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). “When the child is dependent, the Department’s consent is required. RCW 13.34.210; RCW 26.33.160(1).”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.33.140(2) — 9 cases
Andersen v. King Cnty., 138 P.3d 963 (Wash. 2006). “See RCW 26.33.140 (adoption not limited to married couples).”
Andersen v. King Cnty., 158 Wash. 2d 1 (Wash. 2006). “See RCW 26.33.140 (adoption not limited to married couples).”
Avery v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 150 Wash. 2d 409 (Wash. 2003). “RCW 26.33.140 (entitled “Who may adopt or be adopted”) provides that “[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.”
In Re Adoption of BT, 78 P.3d 634 (Wash. 2003). “RCW 26.33.140 (entitled "Who may adopt or be adopted") provides that "[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent.”
McKinney v. State, 134 Wash. 2d 388 (Wash. 1998). “Although “[a]ny person who is legally competent and who is eighteen years of age or older may be an adoptive parent”, RCW 26.33.140(2), it does not follow that every such person is a “prospective adoptive parent” with the right to commence adoption proceedings and obtain…”
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