If you are interested in adopting a child and are a resident of the state of California then there are several conditions that you should be aware of as it can be a complicated process.
These include the types of adoption that are available, including private, open, and independent ones. Then there are the adoption licensing requirements to consider and the adoption costs.
Every applicant’s journey to adoption is different so we will look at what you can expect.
In this guide, we will detail how to adopt a child in California. This will look at the types of adoption, the licensing requirements, and the adoption costs.
The Types Of Adoption That Are Available
In California, there are three main types of adoption to consider. These include independent adoption, private adoption, and fost-adopt.
Independent Adoption
An independent adoption is the most well-known adoption program. These are often made possible by standalone adoption agencies so it is worth consulting with one first.
If the applicants prove to be a good match then the agencies can approve and then place the available child into the qualified home.
Private Adoption
A private adoption typically goes without an intermediary such as an adoption agency.
These arrangements involve direct coordination between the birth parents and the prospective adoptive parents.
A lot of the requirements are set between both parties which may include visitation and whether contact should stop at a certain age or continue.
Fost-Adopt
If a child, teen, or sibling is adopted from foster care then this process is known as fost-adopt.
Other Types Of Adoption
Further types of adoption that are available in the state of California include open and foreign ones.
The option for open adoption is where the birth parents and various other members of the biological family are still involved in the child’s life (see also “Can A Biological Parent Regain Custody After Adoption?“). This does not happen in a closed adoption so is worth bearing in mind.
Then there is a foreign adoption which is of a baby which was born outside the US and over 250,000 youths have been adopted using this option since 1999.
Adoption Licensing Requirements
In California, there are efforts by the adoption licensing requirements to ensure that the adoptive parents are a great match for the child.
This includes forms to be completed for the parents’ criminal and employment background.
There is typically further paperwork too and a home study which includes an interview to confirm whether the adoptive parents are ready and prepared to adopt.
The Home Study
During the home study, certain questions will need to be answered. These include whether the home is clean and safe, plus whether there is a bedroom for the child.
Furthermore, should the applicants be a married couple then the duration of their marriage will be considered as to whether they are eager enough to adopt.
Another consideration will be if the parents can afford to have the child and if they have any prior experience with children.
The home study is to ascertain whether the applicants are a good choice to add a child to complete a family.
That does not necessarily mean the applicants should have a huge house with several bedrooms, great education credits, and a huge bank balance.
This is certainly an opportunity for the agency worker to check that the parents are a great fit but it is also an opportunity for the applicants.
That should mean asking any relevant questions and gaining answers from the agency worker with their home situation being considered.
Adoption Costs
Certain costs can be applied as part of the adoption process. These do vary based on the type of adoption that is chosen and whether the applicants have gone through an adoption agency.
For instance, private adoptions can cost anywhere up to $8,000 while a domestic or international adoption through an agency can cost beyond $30,000 once completed.
Those adoption costs can include licensing fees and attorney fees with several other aspects of the adoption requiring payment too.
These additional costs can be the $500 required before submitting a favorable report to a court.
Then there is an independent adoption petition investigation which in California can cost around $4,500.
Finally, there are further related costs around court filings, medical examination, and fingerprinting which, when added up, can cost around $100 to $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Choose An Adoption Agency In California?
Several adoption agencies could help you adopt a child so do your research to find the most appropriate one. That could depend on the type of adoption you are keen on and also the costs.
There may be hidden fees that apply and it is good to know what might happen in an adoption disruption (see also “What To Know Before Adopting“). Finally, a range of adoption agencies have financial protection and offer different support.
Which Steps Are Required In California To Become An Active Adoptive Family?
As well as the home study, including its documentation stage, interviews are carried out with each family member, and a home inspection is conducted.
There may also be an Adoption Planning Questionnaire which is required to be filled in to match up a family with the pregnant woman.
There could also be an Adoptive Family Profile which allows adoptive parents to show a pregnant woman what their child’s life could look like once placed.
Final Thoughts
The path to adopting a child can be a long and complicated one but it is worth considering your options.
The first is whether to go with an adoption agency as they can make the process easier yet fees may apply.
Those adoptive parents that do not decide to go with an agency typically go for a private adoption that does not involve an intermediary.
Hi, I’m Joan Crassel, and I started my firm in 2006, with the goal to help and represent clients in a range of adoption-related matters.
Since then, the firm has gone on to aid hundreds of clients in adoption proceedings, and in other areas of family law.
With this site, I hope that you can find all of the answers that you are looking for, with in depth guides and informative articles from lawyers, not bloggers or social media influencers. We have actual first-hand knowledge of the adoption process, and can provide you with insight that no one else can.
