Learn about California adoption through information provided by state and federal agencies.
If you are a prospective adoptive parent or a birth parent considering adoption in California, you should research California's adoption laws and procedures before you decide proceed. You can learn about California adoption through information published by state and federal agencies. Government agencies or courts may be more likely to provide objective information regarding adoption because they do not operate on a for-profit basis as many private agencies or adoption lawyers do.
Instructions
1. Look for information published by the U.S. federal government through one of its agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The department provides information on adoption and other family-related topics through its Child Welfare Information Gateway at childwelfare.gov. Review the Child Welfare Information Gateway for information related to your personal situation, depending on whether you would like to adopt a child or if you would like to learn more about adoption as a birth mother or birth father. Search the Child Welfare Information Gateway for California-specific information, such as the California adoption laws, through the website's database of state statutes.
2. Research California's adoption laws through the California Courts Self-Help Center website at courtinfo.ca.gov. Review the relevant California laws and court forms listed by the Self-Help Center as necessary to complete an adoption. Find additional information available online through links to adoption resources suggested by the California Courts Self-Help Center.
3. Access information published by the California Department of Social Services on its website at childsworld.ca.gov. Read the department's responses to "Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption in California" to find answers to questions that you may share in common with other adoptive families or birth parents. Research the types of adoption available in California, such as agency adoption or independent adoption and adoption through a social-welfare agency or private agency, so that you can decide on the type of adoption which you would like to pursue.
4. Review the county adoption-offices and licensed private agencies listed by the California Department of Social Services, depending on whether you would like to adopt from a public agency or private agency. Identify the agencies that serve families living in your local area. Contact the agencies on your list to request initial information regarding each agency's requirements and adoption procedures.
Tags: California adoption, would like, adoption laws, adoption through, California adoption laws, Child Welfare