Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - California

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Family Code §§ 8706; 8817; 8909

The report is prepared by the department, delegated county adoption agency, or private agency that placed the child.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Family Code §§ 8706; 8817; 8909

The report on the child's background shall contain all known diagnostic information, including current medical reports on the child, psychological evaluations, and scholastic information, as well as all known information regarding the child's developmental history and family life.

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Family Code §§ 8706; 8817; 8909

The written report shall contain the child's medical background and, if available, the medical background of the child's birth parents as far as is ascertainable.

The birth parents may provide a blood sample at a clinic or hospital approved by the State Department of Health Services. The birth parents' failure to provide a blood sample shall not affect the adoption of the child. The purpose of the stored sample of blood is to provide a blood sample from which DNA testing can be done at a later date after the entry of the order of adoption at the request of the adoptive parents or the adopted child.

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Family Code §§ 8706; 8817; 8909

The child may not be placed for adoption unless the report has been submitted to the prospective adoptive parents and they have acknowledged in writing the receipt of the report.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.