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Stepparent Adoptions

Adoption Connection can help you secure two legal parents for your child.

Secure two legal parents for your child by completing a Stepparent/Domestic Partner Adoption. This process is used when only one partner in a relationship has legal rights to the child. Typical situations include:

• Second marriages after divorce or death of one parent;
• Same sex couples using a surrogate where one party is the biological parent
• Same sex couples who were neither domestic partners nor married at the time of conception
• Same sex couples where one parent legally adopted the child

Adoption Connection brings a wealth of experience to the stepparent adoption process. Our trained professionals make it easy to complete and file the Social Service Report, which is legally required in California to complete a stepparent adoption.

In 2015 California simplified the process of stepparent or domestic partner adoptions for couples who were domestic partners or married at the time of the child’s birth. This new law is part of the Modern Family Act (AB 2344). The law allows couples who were married or registered as domestic partners at the time one of the spouses/partners gave birth to use a streamlined process to protect the non-birth parent’s rights. It only applies when one of the spouses or partners gave birth to the child. If a couple used surrogacy to have a child, they need to follow the full stepparent adoption process.

To learn about what’s required to finalize a stepparent adoption please visit the California Judicial Branch Adoption Page

Currently Adoption Connection provides stepparent adoption services in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma. Our services include document gathering, a home visit, and parent interviews, as well as a report. When needed, we prepare and file VS44 and ICWA documents along with our report.

To begin a Stepparent adoption with the help of Adoption Connection, please call us at 415-359-2494 or Contact Us.

Stepparent Adoption Frequently Asked Questions

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