As you are not related to your girlfriend's child, you cannot claim the child as your stepchild.
You could claim the child as a "qualified relative" if he/she passes all the following tests:
- The person can't be your qualifying child or the qualifying child of any other taxpayer.
- The person must live with you all year as a member of your household (and your relationship must not violate local laws).
- The person's gross income for the year 2019 must be less than $4,200.
- You must provide more than half of the person's total support for the year.
- The person is a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national.
- The person is not a married person who files a joint return unless that joint return is filed only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid.
If you did claim the child as your stepchild, you must amend your return(s) as he/she would not be entitled to the Child tax credit.
Edited 02/18/20 | 01:56 PM PST
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