Is it legal to pay a birth mother or family for adoption?

In California, it is illegal to pay a birth mother or family for adoption, in accordance with California Family Code Section 8610. California does not allow for payments to be made to the birth mother or her family for the adoption of a child. This holds true for any nonmonetary services, too. According to the California Department of Social Services, a prospective adoptive parent is allowed to provide certain amounts of money to cover some of the birth mother’s reasonable expenses associated with the adoption. These expenses must be related to the legal adoption process and must be incurred within the state of California. Examples of such expenses may include medical expenses, legal fees, travel expenses, and counseling expenses. The adoptive parent must provide evidence of these expenses, such as receipts, to the adoption attorney. Adopting a child is an important decision, and prospective adoptive parents should ensure they are familiar with the laws and regulations regarding adoption in California. An experienced adoption attorney can provide more information, and guide prospective parents through the adoption process.

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Is it legal to pay a birth mother or family for adoption?

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