(a) Stepparent adoptions where one of the spouses or partners gave birth to the child during the marriage or domestic partnership, including a registered domestic partnership or civil union from another jurisdiction, shall follow the procedure provided by this section. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the procedures for stepparent adoptions apply.
(b) The following are not required in stepparent adoptions under this section unless otherwise ordered by the court for good cause:
(1) A home investigation pursuant to Section 9001 or a home study.
(2) Costs incurred pursuant to Section 9002.
(3) A hearing pursuant to Section 9007.
(c) For stepparent adoptions filed under this section, the following shall be filed with the petition for adoption:
(1) A copy of the parties’ marriage certificate, registered domestic partner certificate, or civil union from another jurisdiction.
(2) A copy of the child’s birth certificate.
(3) Declarations by the parent who gave birth and the spouse or partner who is adopting explaining the circumstances of the child’s conception in detail sufficient to identify whether there may be other persons with a claim to parentage of the child who is required to be provided notice of, or who must consent to, the adoption.
(d) The court may order a hearing to ascertain whether there are additional persons who must be provided notice of, or who must consent to, the adoption if it appears from the face of the pleadings and the evidence that proper notice or consent have not been provided.
(e) The court shall grant the stepparent adoption under this section upon finding both of the following:
(1) That the parent who gave birth and the spouse or partner who is adopting were married or in a domestic partnership, including a registered domestic partnership or civil union from another jurisdiction, at the time of the child’s birth.
(2) Any other person with a claim to parentage of the child who is required to be provided notice of, or who must consent to, the adoption has been noticed or provided consent to the adoption.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 636, Sec. 3. (AB 2344) Effective January 1, 2015.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018