Take time to think about what is best for your baby and you before starting the adoption process in California. You can ask yourself questions like:

• What option feels most aligned with my values and circumstances?
• Can I provide the emotional and financial support a child needs right now?
• Would placing my baby for adoption give them the best possible future?

If you’re not sure, you can speak to professionals at AdoptHelp. We’ll help you explore every option available to you, and will respect whatever decision you make.

Each year in the United States, around 18,000 domestic infant adoptions take place, with many mothers choosing adoption as they believe it offers their child the safest environment and the brightest possible future.

Open adoption is the most preferred and common approach nowadays. This gives you the opportunity to know and meet the adoptive parents and stay connected even after the placement. This creates a bond of healing and comfort for everyone involved.

Can a birth parent revoke consent to adoption in California?

There two different types of private open adoption placements in California and each has a different timetable for being able to revoke adoption paperwork. In cases of a placement through a California adoption agency, consent is irrevocable when the California Department of Social Services receives and officially acknowledges receipt of the relinquishment signed by the birth parent. The California Department of Social Services has 2-10 business days to do so. If it fails to do so, the relinquishment becomes irrevocable after the 10th business day from the signing. In independent adoptions, adoptions that don’t involve a California adoption agency, the Independent Adoption Placement Agreement signed by the birth parent terminates parental rights and places the baby directly with the adoptive family selected by the birth parents.  The Independent Adoption Placement Agreement becomes irrevocable at 30 days from the signing.  A birth parent has the option of signing a waiver document that waives the 30 days and makes the placement irrevocable at 5:00 the next business day or immediately if signed by a birth parent in a state other than California.

What rights do birth fathers have in the adoption process in California?

Typically, a man will be considered a presumed father if he is married to the mother of the child, officially acknowledged paternity by signing and filing paperwork with the State, or financially and emotionally supported the birth mother and child in a way that demonstrates a strong commitment to parenting the child. Presumed fathers have the right to be involved in the complete adoption process. But his rights can be terminated without his consent if he has abandoned the child typically for a period of six months, has a dangerous criminal conviction, or it is proven that he is not the biological father and has no relationship with the child. If the birth father is just a biological father who is not married to the birth mother and is not providing financial support and demonstrating a strong commitment to parenting the baby, his rights can be terminated without his consent as long as he is served with a notice of alleged paternity or his identity or whereabouts are unknown. Even if he contests the adoption, his parental rights will be terminated if the Court finds that the adoption is in the best interests of the child.

What are the benefits of working with an adoption agency?

Working with an adoption agency can provide you with the protection, guidance, and support you need.  California adoption agencies are run by social workers so they can offer counseling services to you and they also can take custody of the baby and place the baby with the family you select. While the adoption is pending, the adoption agency is responsible for making sure the baby is doing well and writes a report to the Court recommending that the adoption proceed.

What are the benefits of Working with an Adoption Attorney?

An adoption attorney has a duty to protect their client. They are licensed by the State Bar and are vigorous advocates for their clients. An adoption attorney will inform you of all of your rights and options and make sure that every decision you are making and every form you are signing is fully understood by you and in your best interest. Adoption is a legal process so everyone who is involved in an adoption whether an adoptive parent or a birth parent should have their own adoption attorney to protect them throughout the process.

What are the three types of Contact in California adoptions?

There are typically 3 adoption relationships: Open Adoption, where you can make direct contacts, like calls, visits, and updates and in-person visits are shared between adoptive and birth families; Semi-Open Adoption, where communication is by picture and letters and the parties don’t visit in person; and Closed Adoption, where no information is shared and no contact or updates of any kind are made after the placement. Semi-open and open adoption are the most common types of adoption in the United States.  In adoption in California, post-placement contact agreements also called PACA’s (Post-Adoption Contact Agreements) are legally enforceable and can ensure that picture and letter updates and visits take place pursuant to the written agreement between the birth parents and adopting parents.