New and just starting this

Well, for starters, I would recommend getting the Nolo Press book "Do Your Own California Adoption" If you don't want to buy it, at least borrow it from the library but for $35 I think its worth it. Go here [url]http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/[/url] and select adoption. Use the fillable forms (unless you want to use a typewriter). In my county it works like this, fill out the ADOPT-200 forms and print, in triplicate, for each child going to be adopted. File them at the county clerk. A few weeks or so you should hear from the social worker assinged to your case. They will do an investigation and send off papers to the BF, he will sign away his rights to the children. You will be assigned a court date, fill out the ADOPT-210 and ADOPT-215 and print, in triplicate, for each child. Attend the adoption hearing and rejoice.

Since other parent will consent, here is where you find the consent forms for the State of California. You will want to look for forms AD 2 thru AD 2D. Pick the one you need and print it out. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FORM!! I cannot stress that enough. Make absolutely sure it is notorized or witnessed properly. If the bio parent your dealing with is incarcerated a deputy from the facility as witness is acceptable. Make sure they provide title, badge #, facility contact # with signature. I had three originals done just in case. [url]http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/On-lineFor_272.htm[/url]

You can also start out with going to the courthouse. some counties do things differantly. The book I was recommended was " how to adopt your stepchild in california" by Zagone and Rudolf. It is doable on your own. Many people do and if you have a consent it is easier. You will still have to pay for an investestigation though. I would pick up the packet from the local court. It usually gives instructions, however you can still use the forms on the internet. You just know the forms to use. My county has a letter from the social worker explaining the cost.

I just recently started the adoption process to adopt my 2 stepkids. I had the mothers permission to do so. It's suprisingly not that hard. Your best source of info is to go down to the county courthouse library. They have a wealth of info there, plus all the books you might want to read up on. I personally didn't read them very much. The county court clerk will have all the papers you will need less one. The one thing that I did get from the law library that I didn't get from the court clerk was the paper for the other parent to give up their parental rights. You will need one for each child. You will have to get it notarized, which you can get done for roughly $10 per paper signed. We were able to get it done at The UPS Store. In California it will cost you $20 per child to have the papers submitted to the court. You will want a copy for yourself and it's best to have another one for the biological parent, plus an extra on hand in case yours becomes misplaced. In about 2 weeks after the papers filed, you will receive paperwork to fill out and mail back in. With those papers will be your appointment time with the social worker assigned to the case. The appointment is set up to be about 4weeks after you filed the papers. Any child over the age of 12 HAS to agree with the adoption and sign the papers stating that they agree to it. The adopting parent will also have to have fingerprints done, and set up an appointment to have that done. About 6 weeks after the fingerprinting is done, you will be notified again when you will be able to go back to the courthouse and where to go to set up your appointment with the judge to get the adoption finalized. It's a long process but believe me WELL WORTH IT!!!!!! Good Luck to you all, and God Bless!