Independent Adoptions
An independent adoption takes place outside the dependency system. The birth parents and the prospective adoptive parents arrange the adoption on their own with an attorney’s help. Independent adoptions also take place when a child who is not in the child welfare system is adopted by his or her relative. While the arrangement can be initiated by the child’s birth [parents, it must still be in the best interest of the child. DCFS is the agency designated by the California Department of Social Services to evaluate all independent adoptions in Los Angeles County to ensure that the child’s well being is preserved.
Step-Parent Adoption
In step-parent adoptions, a step-parent (the legal spouse of the child's biological mother or father) adopts their spouse's child. Through a step-parent adoption, the child's step-parent becomes the child's legal parent. To proceed with a step-parent adoption the non-custodial birth parent must consent to the adoption, have their parental rights terminated by the court, through legal action, or be deceased. It is the role of DCFS to conduct an assessment and make a recommendation to juvenile court, in the best interests of the child. The fee for the step-parent adoption assessment is $700.
DCFS also participates in surrogate adoptions. Surrogate adoption involves the adoption of a child voluntarily conceived by artificial insemination and carried through pregnancy by a surrogate mother with the expressed intention of relinquishing the child for step-parent adoption.
Surrogate Adoption Surrogate adoption involves the adoption of a child voluntarily conceived by artificial insemination and carried through pregnancy by a surrogate mother with the expressed intention of relinquishing the child for step-parent adoption.