2011 California Code
Family Code
DIVISION 13. ADOPTION [8500 - 9340]
CHAPTER 2. Agency Adoptions
Section 8714
(a) A person desiring to adopt a child may for that purpose file a petition in the county in which the petitioner resides or, if the petitioner is not a resident of this state, in the county in which the birth parent or birth parents resided when the relinquishment of parental rights for the purpose of adoption was signed. Where a child has been adjudged to be a dependent of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and has thereafter been freed for adoption by the juvenile court, the petition may be filed either in the county where the petitioner resides or in the county where the child was freed for adoption.
(b) The court clerk shall immediately notify the department at Sacramento in writing of the pendency of the proceeding and of any subsequent action taken.
(c) If the petitioner has entered into a postadoption contact agreement with the birth parent as set forth in Section 8616.5, the agreement, signed by the participating parties, shall be attached to and filed with the petition for adoption under subdivision (a).
(d) The caption of the adoption petition shall contain the names of the petitioners, but not the child s name. The petition shall state the child s sex and date of birth. The name the child had before adoption shall appear in the joinder signed by the licensed adoption agency.
(e) If the child is the subject of a guardianship petition, the adoption petition shall so state and shall include the caption and docket number or have attached a copy of the letters of the guardianship or temporary guardianship. The petitioners shall notify the court of any petition for guardianship or temporary guardianship filed after the adoption petition. The guardianship proceeding shall be consolidated with the adoption proceeding.
(f) The order of adoption shall contain the child s adopted name, but not the name the child had before adoption.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 251, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2004.)
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
