If you answered “No” to either question, complete items 1 through 4 below for a Stepparent/Domestic Partner Adoption.
If you answered “YES” to both questions, complete items 1 and 2, only, for a Stepparent Adoption to Confirm Parentage.
2
3
1
ADOPT-050-INFO
How to Adopt a Child in California
ADOPT-200
ADOPT-210
ADOPT-215
ICWA-010(A)
ICWA-020
This tells the court how you conceived your child and whether there
are any other parents. Only use this if you are seeking a stepparent
adoption to confirm parentage. See above for more information on
this type of adoption. Both the birth parent and the adopting parent
must complete a separate declaration.
Declaration
Confirming Parentage
in Stepparent
Adoption
ADOPT-205 (or
an equivalent
declaration)
How to Adopt a Child in California
ADOPT-050-INFO, Page 1 of 2
Fill out court forms.
Adoption Request
This tells the judge that you and the child, if over 12, agree to the
adoption. Fill it out, but do not sign it until the judge asks you to
sign it.
Adoption Order
Adoption Agreement
This tells the judge about you and the child you are adopting.
The judge signs this form if your adoption is approved.
Indian Child Inquiry
Attachment
This lets the judge know that you have asked whether the child may
have Indian ancestry.
Parental Notification
of Indian Status
This proves that the child’s parents have been asked about Indian
ancestry.
Judicial Council of California,
Revised January 1, 2016, Optional Form
Take your forms to court.
Take the completed forms to the court clerk in the county where you live. The court will charge a filing fee. Or take
the forms to your lawyer or adoption agency, if you are using one.
The social worker writes a report.
In most adoptions, a social worker writes a report. This report gives important information to the judge about the
adopting parents and the child. The social worker will ask you questions. You may have to fill out forms. You may
be required to pay a fee for this report. The social worker will file the report with the court and send you a copy.
When you get the report, ask the clerk for a date for your adoption hearing.
Seek legal advice about your family’s options before beginning any adoption. Every family is different and adoption
may not be necessary for some families. Visit the California Court’s Online Self-Help Center adoption page to get copies
of adoption forms, look for organizations that provide legal help with adoptions, and learn how to complete the adoption
process on your own if you cannot afford a lawyer: www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-adoption.htm
. You can also get copies
of adoption forms at your local court clerk’s office.
In California there are several kinds of adoption. This form includes instructions for:
Stepparent/Domestic Partner Adoptions
Answer these questions to get started.
General Information on Adoptions
•
Was the adopting parent in a union with the birth parent at the time the child was born? Check one
Yes
No
•
Is the adopting parent still in a union with the birth parent? Check one
(See the above explanation of a “union”)
A “union” means a:
o Marriage;
o California registered domestic partnership; or
o Registered domestic partnership or civil union from out of state that is legally equivalent to a marriage.
•
Adoption of an Indian (Native American) child (page 2)•
Stepparent/domestic partner adoptions (page 1) •
Open adoptions (page 2)•
Independent, agency, and international adoptions (page 2)
Yes
No
