| In the state of California adoption is actually a rather | | | | You can get these forms on line right here for |
| simple process. Once you have determined that you | | | | absolutely no cost. This is also a great resource to |
| want to adopt your stepchild, you will need to take | | | | use if you are wanting to download any kinds of legal |
| specific legal steps to do so. This article will explain | | | | forms. |
| what to consider during the adoption process, how | | | | Adopt-200 is a formal adoption request. This gives |
| to get the documents needed for free, and what to | | | | the judge information needed about you and your |
| expect from the process. | | | | stepchild. This form should be filled out completely. It |
| First, adoption is a very serious thing to consider | | | | is full of things that the judge will need to know. |
| before acting. You do not want to make a rash | | | | Adopt-210 is a formal adoption agreement. This is the |
| decision that could have a long term effect on a | | | | form that will tell the judge that you and the child |
| child's welfare. If you are sincere in your wishes to | | | | wants to do the adoption. Fill this out completely but |
| adopt your stepchild, then you should not rush into it. | | | | do not sign until the judge says to do so. |
| Take some time to consider the long term | | | | Adopt-215 is the actual adoption order ?This is the |
| importance of taking responsibility for this child the | | | | form the judge will sign if he agrees to the adoption. |
| same as you would your biological children. | | | | Once you have acquired these legal forms and filled |
| It is also important to make certain that you talk | | | | them out, then you take the papers to the |
| with the child and make sure that they want the | | | | courthouse. The County Clerk will charge you a filing |
| adoption as well. This is a very big step for a child, | | | | fee. After this, a social worker will come and visit and |
| and they should be afforded plenty of time to | | | | speak with the child. This is mandatory for all |
| consider every option. Letting go of your biological | | | | adoptions and it gives the courts an independent |
| parents is a very scary thing for a child, even if they | | | | source to use when determining if an adoption is safe |
| did not know their parents that well. It is like letting | | | | and the right solution for the child. Fill out those forms |
| go of a part of themselves. | | | | for the social worker and then wait for you to |
| Fortunately, there is also joy in adopting a child. You | | | | receive your copy of the social worker's report. |
| can expect to have a very unique bond with this child | | | | Once you receive this, you should ask the clerk of |
| for a lifetime. Assuming you have decided to adopt, | | | | court for a court date. On your court date, you will |
| you are now ready to move on to the next step in | | | | need to bring all of your legal forms, the child being |
| adopting your stepchild. | | | | adopted, and any friends or family that may want to |
| Filling out the correct legal forms for your adoption is | | | | attend. Many adoptions are like celebrations. |
| very important and doing so correctly will help speed | | | | This process is not that complicated and it is a |
| things along when you go to the courthouse. You will | | | | wonderful way to ensure a child is well taken care of. |
| need three forms to get the process started: | | | | If your stepchild is in the situation where they need |
| Adopt-200 | | | | adopting, regardless of the reason, you now have |
| Adopt-210 | | | | the knowledge of how to do so. |
| Adopt-215 | | | | |