You should read these code sections before beginning the process.
Process for adopting a stepchild in california.
The procedures for adopting an adult stepchild are found in the california family code section 9300 9340.
Since one of the child s birth parents remains with the child a stepparent adoption typically is more simple than if you are adopting a child through an agency.
There are no judicial council forms to complete for adopting an adult stepchild.
The required documents for an adult adoption ar e.
According to the family connections website before the state will consider prospective adoptive parents for approval to move forward with the process all adoptive parents will need to complete a home study including submitting to a criminal background check and.
You can get certified copies of the order of adoption for free.
When a s tepparent adopts an adult stepchild the adopting p arent s spouse retains his her parent child relationship with the adoptee.
The process for adopting your stepchild in california is fairly straightforward.
Below are a few of the steps you can expect to encounter in the california stepchild adoption process.
To file your papers.
Go to the probate department at the downtown superior court.
Steps to adopting an adult stepchild in california.
The procedures for adopting an adult in california are found in the.
A same sex partner in a domestic relationship with the custodial parent of a child also qualifies to adopt the child as a stepparent.
What do i do after the hearing.
Alg handles stepparent adoptions in los angeles orange riverside san bernardino san diego and ventura.
An adult adoption severs all existing parent child relationships unless the adopting parent is the adoptee s stepparent.
Order of adoption adopt 215 adoption agreement adopt 210 if the other parent did not sign a consent form talk to a lawyer for help with this process.
Although it varies per state in total it typically costs 1500 2500 to adopt a stepchild even if you have the other parent s consent and even if you don t use a lawyer because one will often be appointed for the child.
When a stepparent adopts an adult stepchild the adopting parent s spouse retains his her parent child relationship with the adoptee.
The procedures for adopting an a dult in california are found in the california family code fam 9300 9340.
All courts have a process for waiving some or all of the filing fees.
The adoption agreement.
That means that once the adoption is final the adoptive parents have all the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent child relationship.
California makes the process relatively straightforward by providing the.