Adoptions

Adoption is a legal arrangement by which the adoptive parents become legally responsible for the child they adopt and obtain all legal parental rights and responsibilities with regard to the child.

At the adoption hearing, the parent(s) and child(ren) (if over the age of 12) formally consent to become lawful members of the same family. The hearing is the final stage in granting a permanent home to a child. Adoption proceedings are informal; family and friends may move about the courtroom to view the proceedings and photographs may be taken.

At the completion of the legal proceeding, a new birth certificate is issued for the child.

For more information about adoptions, please refer to the following on the Judicial Council website:

• How to Adopt a Child in California (ADOPT-050-INFO)
• Adoption Self-Help Center

Please refer to the Adjudicated Newspaper List for where to publish notice/service.

There are several types of adoptions in California:

Agency Adoption: The adoption of a child, other than an international adoption, in which the California Department of Social Services or a licensed adoption agency is a party to, or joins in, the adoption petition.

Independent Adoption: The birth parents select the adoptive parents and place the child directly with them. Custody is transferred directly between the parents, rather than through an agency.

International Adoption: A child born outside of the United States is adopted by adults living in the United States. The adoption procedure is conducted by a private agency.

Stepparent Adoption: A stepparent petitions the court for adoption of the child of his or her spouse. A domestic partner desiring to adopt a child of his or her domestic partner may also file for adoption under this procedure.

Adoption of Adults and Married Minors: An adult may be adopted by another adult, including a stepparent, and a married minor may be adopted in the same manner as an adult

	Agency	Independent	International	Stepparent	Adults and Married Minors
Adoption Request (ADOPT-200)
Adoption Agreement (ADOPT-210)
Adoption Order (ADOPT-215)
Indian Child Inquiry Attachment ICWA-010(A)
Parental Notification of Indian Status ICWA-020
Adoption of Indian Child (ADOPT-220)
Adoption Expenses (ADOPT-230)
Petition for Adoption of Adult or Married Minor (JUV-193)
Order of Adoption of Adult or Married Minor (JUV-194)
Adoption Agreement Adoption of Adult or Married Minor (JUV-195)
Consent to Adoption (Adult) (JUV-196)

Forms for use in special circumstances:

• Declaration Confirming Parentage in Stepparent Adoption (ADOPT-205) : use for a stepparent adoption governed by Family Code Section 9000.5
• Verification of Compliance With Hague Adoption Convention Attachment (ADOPT-216) : use for an international adoption governed by the Hague Adoption Convention
• Adoption of Indian Child (ADOPT-220) : use for any adoption of an Indian child
• Parent of Indian Child Agrees to End Parental Rights (ADOPT-225) : use for any adoption of an Indian child in which a parent consents to the adoption
• Contact After Adoption Agreement (ADOPT-310) : use for any adoption of a child in which the adoptive parent(s) and the birth relative(s) agree to postadoption contact

Due to strict laws regarding the confidentiality of records, case-specific information will not be given over the telephone, because proper identification cannot be established.