Adoptive Parent/Child Search

The agency provides independent adoption and step-parent adoption services for people of all ages in Los Angeles County. The court does not accept independent and step-parent adoptions for foster care children, or where there is an open DCFS/court dependency case. There are no geographic restrictions.

The Independent Adoptions Unit assists in completing home studies for adoptions where the birth parent selects the family for their child and voluntarily places the child with them, without DCFS participation. After the child has been placed, and an adoption petition has been filed at court, the Independent Adoption unit is contacted to begin the home study with the family. The unit also provides post placement supervision services for independent adoption cases where another agency complete the home study and the child has been placed in the home.

Parents living in other states may now adopt a child in California through the Independent Adoption program. This function was formerly handled by the State, but has been transferred to the County.

The Step-parent Adoptions unit provides services to families when a stepparent files a petition to adopt his/her stepchild while the spouse or birth parent also retains custody, and the other parent consents to the adoption and has his/her rights terminated.

Families who would like to adopt a child from foster care through DCFS must first become a Resource Family. Once approved, that family can foster a child with the goal of adopting. Families may be eligible for financial assistance through the Adoption Assistance Program until the child reaches age 18.