Juvenile Court Adoption Services

Due to COVID-19 there have been changes made to how the court is completing adoptions. Please contact Rebecca Via by email at [email protected] or by phone 253-798-7978 to discuss options.

Responsibilities of Adoption Services

The adoption department is responsible for reviewing and coordinating all adoption cases, including newborn, children, and adult adoptions. Information regarding adoptions including the process and forms required can be obtained by contacting the Adoption Coordinator.  All adoption reports, whether completed by this office or by private providers or agencies, are submitted to Pierce County Adoptions for review and filing with the court. Adoption finalizations are scheduled for Friday mornings at Juvenile Court.

Attorney Information

Attorney Referral

A referral coming from an attorney’s office should include:

Upon receipt of the referral, a packet will be sent to your clients. We will notify you once the report is completed so you may schedule a final hearing.


Adoption Investigator

An order appointing an adoption investigator happens automatically in every adoption. It is generated internally and you do not need to create one.


Statute for Adoptions
The statute pertaining to adoptions is Chapter 26.33 RCW. 

The Pierce County Adoption Coordinator accepts referrals for stepparent, married couple, second parent, some assisted reproduction adoptions and relative homestudies. The request for these services can come from the attorney representing the adoptive parents or the family directly if they are not represented by an attorney. 

Request for a Report

The request for a report consists of:

  • A Pierce County Adoption Referral Contract
  • Copies of the initial adoption pleadings, i.e. Petition for Adoption, Consents from the relinquishing parents after they have been filed