How do I adopt a newborn?

If you are interested in adopting a newborn in California, it’s important to understand the process and requirements. To be eligible to adopt, you must be at least 18 years of age and have the financial and emotional resources to care for a child. First, you will need to complete an application and home study. The home study is a comprehensive evaluation process that includes an in-depth look into your background, home environment, and lifestyle. Generally, states perform criminal and child abuse record checks when evaluating home study applicants. Once your home study is approved, it is time to find a match. You may work with an adoption agency or an adoption attorney to find a birth mother and match you with her. The adoptive parents and birth mother must sign an adoption agreement before the adoption can be finalized. When the child is born, you will need to finalize the adoption. This process includes filing a petition of adoption with the court, attending a hearing, and obtaining the judge’s final approval of the adoption. Once the adoption is finalized, you will receive an official birth certificate listing you as the legal parents of the child. It is important to understand that adoption is a complex process and, depending on the particular situation, may take an extended period of time to complete.

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How do I adopt a newborn?

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