What are California's adoption laws?

California adoption is governed by California Family Code Division 13. Here are the key provisions:

Residency: 0 months (Cal. Fam. Code § 8714)

Court: Superior Court

Child Consent: Age 12+ (Cal. Fam. Code § 8602)

Abandonment: 12 months no contact (Cal. Fam. Code § 8604)

Termination: Can be included in adoption proceeding

Home Study: Typically waived for stepparents (Cal. Fam. Code § 8715)

Timeline: Minor: 3 months | Adult: 2-3 months

California has 58 counties, each with its own Superior Court. Our documents are customized for your specific countie's requirements.

We've helped 1,219+ families in California navigate these laws successfully.