Pitt moving inch by inch towards fatherhood

Actor Brad Pitt files legal papers in Los Angeles to adopt fiancee Angelina Jolie's two kids.

Actor Brad Pitt has filed legal papers in Los Angeles to adopt the children of actress Angelina Jolie, news media reported on Friday, adding that this might be a step leading to the couple's marrying.

Life & Style magazine said Pitt, 41, has filed to become the legal adopted father of Jolie's two children, Maddox, 4, and Zahara, 10 months. They will go by the last name of Jolie-Pitt when the legal steps are completed, the magazine said, quoting a representative for Pitt.

Jolie, 30, adopted Maddox from Cambodia and Zahara from Ethiopia.

"The ink isn't even dry on the adoption papers, and Brad is literally jumping for joy," the magazine quoted an unnamed "insider" as saying. "He's calling friends and telling them the great news."

Meanwhile, In Touch magazine reported that the couple is expected to marry soon and have already drawn up a prenuptial agreement, primarily to benefit the two children.

Pitt's divorce from actress Jennifer Aniston, 36, was completed in October after 4 1/2 years of marriage. Jolie will also change her last name to Jolie-Pitt after the marriage, the magazine said.

Pitt and Jolie met on the set of their film Mr. & Mrs. Smith last year and denied being anything more than friends though tabloid newspapers insisted that they were romantically involved.

Representatives for Pitt and Jolie were not immediately available for comment.