A stepparent can adopt the child of their spouse. In order to request a stepparent adoption there are several court forms that need to be completed. The other parent has to consent to the adoption. If the other parent does not consent to the adoption you may still be able to adopt if: the other parent has abandoned the child for over a year and not paid any child support or seen or talked to the child; you properly served the birth parent with notice and they appear at the court hearing; or the Judge decides that going ahead with the adoption is in the best interests of the child.
Cases where there is no consent from the other birth parent can be complicated, so it is important to consult with a knowledgeable family law attorney. The county will conduct an investigation to make sure the stepparent and housing is acceptable to the county. Then the court will have a hearing on the matter to grant or deny the adoption.
Bethanie Fanti has done many stepparent adoptions and can help guide you through this process.