ADOPTION Adoption in California is governed by the California Family Code. Adoption means adopting a child by a person and makes himself responsible for the care, maintenance and education of the adopted child. TYPES OF ADOPTION In California the following types of adoption are found: A. Stepparent / Domestic partner Adoption
B. Independent Adoption
C. Agency Adoption
D. International adoption
PROCEDURE Ø STEPPARENT/ DOMESTIC PARTNER ADOPTION - For adopting a child the stepparent/ domestic partner may apply to the County court where they live, after filling the adoption agreement form and adoption order form.
- After receiving the application the court then appoints the probation officer or a qualified court investigator or licensed clinical social worker in the county in which the adoption proceeding is pending shall make an investigation of each case of stepparent adoption.
- The court may make an order of adoption after considering the investigator's report and recommendation.
- If the court satisfy with the reports of the investigator then the court summons the adoptive parents for hearing and then makes the order for adoption.
Ø INDEPENDENT, AGENCY AND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION - In these categories of adoption however the procedure is same but the adoptive parent/ agency has to fill few other forms such as forms for adoption expenses.
- Incase the child is an Indian there are separate forms for adopting a Indian child and a form for parent to Indian child agrees to end of parental rights has to be filled out.
- So as to make the adoption open i.e. if the adoptive parents want to continue of relation of the child and his/ her birth family a separate form for open adoption has to be submitted.
REQUIREMENTS - To adopt an unmarried minor child the adoptive parents must be at least 10 years older than the adoptive child.
- The child above 12 years his consent is essential before adoption.
- The birth parent's consent is essential
- If a married person who is not lawfully separated from the other spouse, if wishes to adopt a child he cannot do so without prior permission of the other spouse.
- The minor must have lived in the State with his parents or guardian for at least six months immediately before commencement of the proceeding.
- The adoptive parent must have lived in the State for at least six months immediately before commencement of the proceeding.
- A petition for adoption of a minor may be filed in the court in the county in which any of the following applies:
- A petitioner lives.
- The minor lives
- An office of an agency that placed the minor is located.
Ø INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION Inter-country adoption services are exclusively provided by the private adoption agencies licensed by the department specifically to provide these services. For inter-country adoptions that will be finalized in this state, the licensed adoption agency shall provide all of the following services: - Assessment of the suitability of the applicant's home.
- Placement of the foreign-born child in an approved home.
- Post placement supervision.
- Submission to the court of a report on the intercountry adoptive placement with a recommendation regarding the granting of the petition.
- Services to applicants seeking to adopt related children living in foreign countries.
LIST OF ADOPTION AGENCIES IN CALIFORNIA AASK Adopt a Special Kid 7700 Edgewater Drive, Suite 320
Oakland, CA 94621
510 553-1748 ext. 12
http://www.adoptaspecialkid.org
ACCEPT
339 S. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 917-8090 FAX: (650) 323-1474
http://www.acceptadoptions.org ADOPT INTERNATIONAL 121 Springdale Way
Redwood City, CA 94062
(650) 369-7300 FAX: (650) 369-7400
http://www.adopt-intl.org
Email: 74734.3044@compuserve.com ADOPTION CONNECTION 1710 Scott Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 359-2494
Send Email
www.adoptionconnection.org AFTER - Adoptive Family Therapeutic & Educational Resources, a service of Kinship Center™ 115 East Gish Road, Suite 246
San Jose, CA 95112
877-33-AFTER, or 408-573-8222
Visit us at AfterAdoption.org.
Email: admin@afteradoption.org ALAMEDA COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY 401 Broadway (PO Box 1768)
Oakland, CA 94607
(510)-268-2422 (510) 268-7869(S)
FAX: (510) 268-7022
Alameda Adoptions Email ALTERNATIVE FAMILY SERVICES
25 Division Street, Ste. 201
San Francisco, CA 94103-5210
(415) 626-2700
Fax (415)626-2760
Email: Alternative Family Services
BLACK ADOPTION PLACEMENT AND RESEARCH CENTER
125 2nd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 839-3678 FAX: (510) 839-3765
http://www.baprc.org CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SAN DIEGO
349 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-2828 FAX: (619) 232-3807
dsables@ccdsd.org
THE ADOPTION NETWORK OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES
98 Bosworth Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94112-1002
(415) 406-2358 FAX: (415) 406-2386
twatters@ccasf.org
www.ccasf.org CHILDREN'S BUREAU OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 3910 Oakwood Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 665-1015 FAX: (213) 661-7306
cstogel@all4kids.org
www.all4kids.org CHRYSALIS HOUSE
4025 N. Fresno St., Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: 559-229-9862
Fax: 559-229-9863
email: contact-us@chrysalishouse.com
web site: www.chrysalishouse.com CHRYSALIS HOUSE 4025 N. Fresno St., Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93726
Phone: 559-229-9862
Fax: 559-229-9863
email: contact-us@chrysalishouse.com
web site: www.chrysalishouse.com
CHRISTIAN ADOPTION & FAMILY SERVICES 801 East Chapman Avenue, Suite 106
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 278-1020 FAX: (714) 278-1023 EL DORADO COUNTY DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES 3057 Briw Road
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 642-7100FAX: (530) 626-7427
FAIR (Families Adopting in Response)
Family Support Group
P.O. Box 51436
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Warm Line (650) 856-3513
www.fairfamilies.org FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN 3650 Auburn Boulevard, Suite A-200
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 974-8744
FAMILY CONNECTIONS ADOPTIONS Northern California Office
P.O. Box 189396
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 568-6005
fcadoptsac@msn.com FAMILY CONNECTIONS ADOPTIONS Southern California Office
P.O. Box 1804
Oceanside, CA 92051-1804
(760)754-0200
famconnadopt@earthlink.net FAMILIES FIRST 825 Alfred Noble Drive Suite F
Hercules, CA 94547-1831
(510) 741-3100
Fax: (510) 741--3120
www.familiesfirstinc.org FAMILY BUILDERS BY ADOPTION 528 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 272-0204
CAKidsConnnection
www.familybuilders.org EXCELL
8616 La Tijera Blvd, Suite 412
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 337-1946 FAX: (310) 337-2798 | 