Adoption Law California

1. Stepparent/Domestic partner Adoption
2. Independent Adoption
3. Agency Adoption
4. International adoption

PROCEDURE

1. STEPPARENT/DOMESTIC PARTNER ADOPTION 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The court may make an order of adoption after considering the investigator's report and recommendation.
4. 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.  

2. INDEPENDENT, AGENCY AND INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. To adopt an unmarried minor child the adoptive parents must be at least 10 years older than the adoptive child.
2. The child above 12 years his consent is essential before adoption.
3. The birth parent's consent is essential
4. 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.
5. The minor must have lived in the State with his parents or guardian for at least six months immediately before commencement of the proceeding.
6. The adoptive parent must have lived in the State for at least six months immediately before commencement of the proceeding.
7. A petition for adoption of a minor may be filed in the court in the county in which any of the following applies:
1. A petitioner lives.
2. The minor lives
3. An office of an agency that placed the minor is located.

3. 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:

1. Assessment of the suitability of the applicant's home.
2. Placement of the foreign-born child in an approved home.
3. Post placement supervision.
4. Submission to the court of a report on the intercountry adoptive placement with a recommendation regarding the granting of the petition.
5. Services to applicants seeking to adopt related children living in foreign countries.