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 county's requirements.
We've helped 1,219+ families in California navigate these laws successfully.
Stepparent adoption in California at a glance
- Court
- Superior Court
- Residency before filing
- Must be actual residents of California; no specific duration required
- Typical timeline
- 3 months
- Court filing fee
- $200-$500
- Child must consent at age
- 12
- Home study
- Usually waived for stepparents
- California families we've helped
- 1,219
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Page layout updated . Individual answers have different research histories. This is general information; court requirements and individual circumstances can differ. Document preparation service, not a law firm.
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