California
California
Who may adopt?
A married person may not adopt a child without the consent of the spouse.
An adult at least 10 years older than the child, except under conditions specified.
Consent for adoption to be executed?
In a direct placement, consent may only take place after the discharge of the birth mother from the hospital. If the mother is required to be hospitalized longer than the child, consent may be given with verification of competency from her physician.
Relinquishment to an agency can take place any time after the birth of the child.
Revocation of consent?
In a direct placement, after consent has been given, the parents have 30 days to submit a signed revocation and request the return of the child or sign a waiver of the right to revoke consent. In an agency adoption, consent is final and may only be rescinded by mutual consent, unless the birth parent has specified an adoptive parent and that placement is not finalized; then the parent has 30 days to rescind.
Who may place a child for adoption?
The child's birth parent
A licensed adoption agency
The department of Social Services
Advertising?
No person or organization may advertise in any periodical or newspaper or by radio or other public medium that he, she, or it will place or provide children for adoption, or cause any advertisement to be published in any public medium soliciting, requesting, or asking for any child or children for adoption, unless that person or organization is licensed to place children for adoption by the department.
Facilitators?
An ''adoption facilitator'' is a person or organization not licensed as an adoption agency that advertises for the purpose of soliciting parties to an adoption, locating children for an adoption, or acting as an intermediary to an adoption.
Requirements for adoption facilitators include:
- Any advertising must disclose the identity of the facilitator and make plain that it is not an adoption agency.
- Parties must be provided a description of services.
- Adopting parents must be given in writing all information provided by the birth parents about the child.
- Fees and expenses paid must be reported to the court.
No. The putative father must bring an action declaring the existence of a father- child relationship within 30 days of service of the notice of adoption proceedings, or the birth of the child, whichever is later.
Notice must be given at least 10 days prior to a proceeding to every person identified as the natural father or a possible natural father.
Expenses?
Birth parent - Services related to adoption.
- Medical or hospital care for birth mother or child.
- Attorney's fees.
- Counseling fees .
- Living expenses.
- Birth parent must request in writing any payment for expenses.
Department/Agency - The department or adoption agency shall charge $1,250 for filing a petition for adoption; $325 for a post-placement evaluation.
- A fee may be deferred, reduced, or waived for economic hardship.
Information provided in part by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
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Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton
