Adoption in California - California Adoption Law

California Adoption Law

Adoptions are governed by the Family Code. In an independent adoption, the placing birth parent signs an Adoption Placement Agreement a few days after birth. This can become permanent 30 days later, or she can waive those 30 days and make the consent permanent immediately. In an agency adoption, the birth parent signs a relinquishment, which can be made permanent immediately, or allow a variable time frame in which to revoke the consent, as agreed upon by the birth parent and agency. The vast majority of adoptions are successful and few birth parents change their mind, in part due to the providing of counseling prior to the placement. Birth fathers can elect to sign the same consenting forms as the birth mother. As a practical matter, however, some non-marital birth fathers can't be found, or decline to be involved. California law allows their rights to be terminated if they don't come forward to actively object, or if they can't be found or their identity is unknown.