Welcoming a child into your home is one of life’s most profound experiences. California has progressive adoption laws aimed to create permanency for newborns who are placed for adoption. California law allows in-state residents and non-residents to finalize adoptions in California. If you’re considering newborn adoption in California, speak with a California adoption attorney, ask questions, and investigate your options.

Understanding the Basics

Newborn adoption in California involves placing a baby with adoptive parents from birth. While birth parents and adoptive parents find each other during the pregnancy and make a commitment to the adoption, none of the parties are bound to the adoption until after the baby is born and the adoption consent forms are signed. In California, while the entire process is guided by state laws designed to protect the rights of both the birth parents and the adoptive family, the primary purpose of California adoption law is to do what is in the child’s best interests.

Families considering adoption are supported by licensed agencies and/or attorneys who specialize in the legal, emotional, and practical aspects of adoption. These experts help make sure that every step of the process is handled safely, ethically, and in line with California law.

What Families Can Expect with Newborn Adoption in California

Adopting a newborn is both exciting and emotional. Prospective parents can expect several key elements:

1. Home Study

Before a child is placed, families undergo a home study. This is a license to adopt a child and it is performed by a licensed adoption agency. This assessment confirms that both you and your home are safe for the child being adopted. It typically includes simple background checks, references, interviews, basic home inspection, and financial and medical reviews.

2. Matching Process

A birth parent has a constitutional right to make decisions as to how their child is raised. This includes selecting a family that will adopt the baby. Birth mothers typically review family profiles to choose the parents for their child, forming an initial connection that begins a respectful and supportive adoption journey. California adoption law allows any family type to adopt as long as the birth parents select that family. This includes adoptive parents who adopt as singles, married couples, unmarried couples, same sex individuals and same sex couples. 

Also, no one adopting in California is too old or the wrong religion. Family profiles provide information about your family’s lifestyle, values, and environment, helping birth mothers feel confident about their baby living happily ever after with you. Just as two strangers would not get married, birth parents typically do not place their baby for adoption unless they find a family with whom they connect and feel comfortable. Birth parents and adoptive parents typically go through the pregnancy journey together, forming a bond that benefits them as well as the baby being adopted. 

3. Hospital and Placement Planning

Families work with professionals and the birth mother to create a plan for the hospital experience. This may cover who holds the baby first, who is in the room during delivery, and how time with the birth mother is structured. Typically, the hospital and birth experience is shared by the birth parents and the adoptive parents. This creates a child-friendly family formation narrative where all come together to celebrate and bring the child into the world together. This is one of the hallmarks of open adoption. 

4. Consent and Legal Finalization

In California, the birth mother provides written consent for adoption after the baby is born and her doctor has signed her hospital discharge. Therefore, a social worker will meet with the birth mother after hospital discharge (typically at 48 hours) to sign the consent paperwork. California has various options for when the birth parents’ consents to adoption become irrevocable. The quickest is the same day or at 5:00 the next business day. The moderate approach is 2-10 business days, and the longer approach is 30 days.

The methodology and revocation period is something that will be discussed and known by all parties prior to the delivery so that everyone knows what to expect. Birth parents may revoke consent during the legally allowed period but once the revocation period passes, a birth parent cannot change their mind about the adoption. 

The next step is that the California adoption attorney will file the action in the Superior Court and ask the judge to finalize the adoption. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents become the permanent parents of the child and a new birth certificate is issued listing them as the parents along with whatever name they want for the baby. 

Types of Adoption Available

California offers several options to fit the needs and preferences of both the birth mother and adoptive families:

• Independent Adoption: Birth parents select the adoptive family directly, often with both parties represented by attorneys. Adoption agencies are not used, so custody of the baby goes directly from the birth parent to the adoptive parent. This is a more organic and streamlined method often used in open adoption.
• Agency Adoption: In agency placements, the birth parent places the baby into the custody of the adoption agency, which then places the baby with the adoptive family. If the family is selected by the birth parents, it is called an identified placement, and the agency can only place the child with that family. If the birth parents do not select the family, the agency can select the family and make the placement. Nearly all adoptions using an agency placement are identified placements. 
• Open, Semi-Open, and Closed Adoptions: The birth parents and the adoptive parents choose the level of contact they want during the pregnancy and post-placement. Contact after adoption typically involves a picture and letter exchange but can range from zero contact to visits, depending on comfort level and the wishes of all involved. In California, the parties can formalize the post-placement contact into an enforceable agreement called a Contact After Adoption Agreement, but they are also free to choose to have no legal obligations regarding ongoing contact. 

Making the Decision

Deciding if private domestic newborn adoption is right for your family is deeply personal. It requires reflection on your readiness, emotional preparedness, and willingness to participate in a legally guided and supportive process. Families benefit from understanding the responsibilities, costs, and types of adoption available, while knowing they have professional guidance every step of the way.

With the right support, Newborn Adoption in California can help you create a loving home and provide a child with a strong, secure start in life.

Trusted Support for Newborn Adoption in California

AdoptHelp has been assisting families nationwide for 25 years and works with families throughout the entire adoption journey, offering guidance, counseling, and legal assistance. We are a full service program that will help you create a personalized adoption plan and then implement that plan from start to finish. At AdoptHelp, we welcome anyone who would like to parent and any birth parents who would like to place a child for adoption.