DIRECTIONS ON FILING FOR AN ADOPTION
Complete the required forms in black ink.
ADOPT - 200 - Adoption Request
ADOPT - 210 - Adoption Agreement - Fill it out, BUT DO NOT SIGN, until the judge asks you to sign it.
ADOPT - 215 - Adoption Order - THE JUDGE SIGNS THIS FORM if your adoption is approved.
Include Court Fee Waiver Form if necessary.
File forms with appropriate court to initiate adoption proceedings.
May also e-file with Court Angels by clicking here.
The social worker then writes a report.
When you get the report, ask the clerk for a date for your adoption hearing.
Go to court on the date of your hearing. Bring forms:
ADOPT-210
ADOPT-215.
See below for additional instructions for specific types of adoptions.
You may adopt as a Stepparent. There are two types of stepparent adoptions:
Union with child's parent at the time of the child' birth and are still in a union with the child's parent.
Partner gave birth to the child or the child was born through a gestational surrogacy brought about one or both of you.
Additional Optional Forms for Stepparent Adoption.
ADOPT-205 (or an equivalent declaration) Declaration Confirming Parentage in Stepparent Adoption
ADOPT-206 (or an equivalent declaration) Declaration Confirming Parentage in Stepparent Adoption: Gestational Surrogacy
ICWA-010(A) Indian Child Inquiry Attachment
ICWA-020 Parental Notification of Indian Status
Independent or Agency Adoptions in the United States
The rights of the existing parents usually terminate with adoptions. In an independent adoption, if the existing and adopting parents agree, the rights of the existing parent(s) do not have to be terminated.
Additional Forms for Agency Adoption:
ADOPT-230 Adoption Expenses
ICWA-010(A)* Indian Child Inquiry Attachment
ICWA-020* Parental Notification of Indian Status
Intercountry Adoptions
You must follow this process to adopt your child under California law, even if the adoption was previously finalized in a foreign country. If the child’s adoption was finalized in a foreign country, you must file the Adoption Request within the earlier of 60 days of the child’s entry to the United States, or the child’s 16th birthday.
Additional Forms for Interlocutory Adoption:
ADOPT-230 Adoption Expenses
ICWA-010(A)* Indian Child Inquiry Attachment
Adoption of an Indian Child
If you are adopting an Indian child, fill out and bring to court the following additional forms:
ADOPT-220 - Adoption of Indian Child Form
ADOPT-225 - Parent of Indian Child Agrees to End Parental Rights
If this is a tribal customary adoption, a copy of the tribal customary adoption order must be attached to the petition and the order.
“Open” Adoption
If you want your child to have contact with their birth family, use Contact After Adoption Agreement (form ) to describe the kind of contact the birth family will have with your child. Fill out this form and bring it to your hearing.