This is very common and does NOT prevent the adoption. When the biological parent's whereabouts are unknown, California law allows service by publication — a legal notice published in a newspaper.
Here's how it works in California:
- You (or the sheriff) attempt service at the last known address
- If that fails, you file a motion for service by publication
- A notice is published in a newspaper in the area where the parent was last known to live
- The parent has a set period to respond (they almost never do)
- The adoption proceeds
We include all the necessary documents for service by publication in your package. The newspaper typically charges $50–$150 for the notice. This adds about 4–6 weeks to the timeline but is a routine part of California family law.
In our 25+ years of experience, the vast majority of parents served by publication never respond, and the adoption is approved.
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
Adoption document specialists · 25+ years of experience · 34,000+ families helped.
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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