In this answer · 1 sections
California stepparent adoption is governed by California Family Code Division 13. Here are the key statutes:
- Cal. Fam. Code § 9000
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=9000
- Cal. Fam. Code § 8602
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=8602
- Cal. Fam. Code § 7822
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=7822
- Cal. Fam. Code § 8604
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=8604
- Cal. Fam. Code § 9000.5
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM§ionNum=9000.5
Key provisions:
- Residency: 0 months (Cal. Fam. Code § 8714)
- Abandonment: 12 months (Cal. Fam. Code § 8604)
- Child consent: Age 12+ (Cal. Fam. Code § 8602)
- Home study: Waived for stepparents (Cal. Fam. Code § 8715)
You don't need to read these yourself — we know them inside out and prepare all your documents in compliance with California law. But they're here if you want to review them.
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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