california adoption law
Adoption law is legislated by the state, so each state has its own set of adoption laws.
In the case of international adoption, you must follow additional laws set by
the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Confidentiality
All adoption proceedings are held in private. The records in the hearing are not open to inspection, except upon a court order.
The natural parent may at any time in the future request from a licensed adoption agency or the State Department of Social Services all known information about the status of the child's adoption, except for identifying information about the adoptive family. Prior to adoption, the medical background of the adoptee and the adoptee's natural family as well as additional information on the adoptee's scholastic, developmental, and family background shall be revealed to the prospective adoptive parents.
The natural parent may indicate in writing that his or her identity and address can be disclosed to the adoptee when the adoptee reaches 21 years of age. In addition, the natural parent of an adoptee who is 21 years of age may receive similar identifying information about the adoptee, if the adopteeconsents to its release. The Department of Social Services may arrange contact between the adult adoptee and the natural parent, if the latter two consent in writing. The adoptive parents may also be provided with the biological parents' identifying information if medical necessity or other extraordinary
circumstances justify the disclosure.
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