About Adoption

What is Adoption?

Adoption is the permanent, legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from a child"s birth parents to the adoptive parents.

There are four basic ways to adopt:

International adoption of a child from another country
Adoption through a private adoption agency
Independent adoption arranged directly with the birth parents
Adoption of children in foster care through a public agency

The Adoption Program

The Orange County Department of Children and Family Services Adoption Program is a state licensed, public adoption agency.

The Adoption Program is responsible for finding families for children who are dependents of the Orange County Juvenile Court and who cannot return to their birth parents.

Who is available?

Available children range in age from newborns to adolescents, with many children who are school aged, part of a sibling group, members of ethnic minorities and some children having special developmental, medical, or emotional needs, are especially wishing for permanent families to love them.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance (AAP) is available to families who adopt children through our Agency and may continue until the child reaches 18 years of age. In some cases, they may even remain eligible until the age of 21. In addition, the federal government may provide tax incentives (please consult your tax advisor) to help adoptive families with the costs of adoption.

What's Required?

Potential applicants are required to attend an orientation meeting during which the adoption process will be explained and questions answered.

An Adoption Home Study Worker will then be assigned to help applicants complete the necessary steps leading to the placement of an adoptive child.

Preparation for the adoption of our children will include meeting with a social worker from Adoptions and attending classes that prepare families for the special needs of our children.

What to Expect

The adoption process is specifically designed to help you discover if adoption is right for you and your family.

Creating a family through adoption is a challenging undertaking. It can also be one of life’s most satisfying and rewarding experiences for you, for your adopted child and for your family.

Where to Begin

If you are interested in learning more about Adoptions or the Adoptions process, please contact the Adoptions On-Duty Worker:

714-704-8000 (M-F 8-5/Pacific Time)

or call 888-871-5437 for an Orientation