Get Started
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Foster Care, Adoption, and Fost-Adopt
- What is adoption?
- What is foster care?
- What is fost-adopt?
- How do children in foster care become available for adoption?
- What is the role of fost-adopt parents?
- Who is eligible to adopt or fost-adopt?
- How can I adopt or fost-adopt?
- How do I become a foster parent?
- How much does it cost to adopt or fost-adopt?
- Can the biological parents take my adoptive child back?
- What kinds of questions will be asked on the adoption application?
- What is involved in the adoption licensing process?
- Both of us work. Will I have to quit my job if I want to adopt or be a foster parent?
- I don’t own my own home or I live in an apartment. Can I adopt?
- Can single parents adopt?
- Can gays and lesbians adopt?
- I’m over forty. Am I too old to adopt?
What is adoption?
Adoption is a legal process that permanently gives parental rights to adoptive parents. It means taking a child into your home as a permanent family member. It means caring for and guiding children through their growing years and giving them the love and understanding they need to develop their full potential.
What is foster care?
A foster family home is a private residence (apartment or house) that has been licensed to serve as a temporary setting for children who are dependants of the courts. This home provides a supportive and stable environment for children who cannot live with their biological parents while family problems are being resolved. In most cases, the foster parents work with the Department of Social Services to assist with the reunification of the child with his or her biological family.
What is fost-adopt?
Fost-adopt is a way of looking at permanency for children. Until recently, planning for children in foster care was sequential, focusing on efforts to rehabilitate the parents and reunify the family and then, if these efforts failed, looking for a permanent placement. Child welfare agencies were able to recommend terminating parental rights and move forward with a plan for adoption or guardianship only after a year or two had passed. Fost-adopt parents have been licensed and are prepared to adopt the child who is living with them as a foster child. Having fost-adopt parents prepared to adopt adds to the consistency and stability of a child’s life.
How do children in foster care become available for adoption?
When a child enters foster care in California, ensuring that the child has a stable, safe, permanent home as early as possible becomes the fundamental goal. This is usually achieved one of two ways: providing services to the birth family so the child can return to an adequate home or finding an alternative permanent family, usually through adoption. Working on both of these options for permanency at the same time is the goal.
What is the role of fost-adopt parents?
Fost-adopt parents are foster parents and prospective adoptive parents at the same time. Children need safe, stable families. The fost-adopt program allows children to be placed in families that are ready to adopt them if their birth parents are not able to make the changes necessary to reunite with their family. Birth parents are advised openly that adoption is the alternate plan to reunification. In addition, birth parents are counseled about all their options, including voluntarily relinquishing their child for adoption.
Who is eligible to adopt or fost-adopt?
Both private and public agencies screen potential foster or adoptive parents for general qualifications. For example a potential parent must:
- be 18 years or older
- have no health problems that would interfere with their ability to care for a child
- be of good moral character
- be able to provide adequate housing (rent/own)
- meet specific safety and health requirements
- undergo a criminal record clearance
- offer good personal references
Those who wish to adopt or fost-adopt a child from the San Francisco Bay Area must be available to visit the child on a regular basis prior to the adoption.
How can I adopt or fost-adopt?
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and licensed public and private agencies in California provide services to people who wish to adopt. A license or certification is required for adoption through a public agency such as your county’s Department of Social Services or through a licensed private agency.
The first step is to contact the local county adoption agency for their orientation schedule. After you complete the orientation and application, the agency will assign an adoption caseworker to discuss with you the adoption process, the type of child you wish to adopt, and the availability of children. Agency procedures and requirements determine how long the process will take, but most require four to six months from the time of application to completion. Depending on the availability of appropriate children, placement may be immediate or take several months or years. If you would like more information, go to The Process.
Contact us about becoming an adoptive or fost-adopt parent.
For residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo, find out more information about your own county.
How do I become a foster parent?
Prospective foster parents and their homes are licensed by the state through their county Department of Social Services or by licensed private agencies, which are authorized to provide certification for foster care. The licensing process can take from three to six months, depending on the agency’s specific requirements and procedures. While most basic elements of the process are mandated by state law and pertain to all counties, some procedures may vary from county to county.
The first step is to contact the foster care unit of your local Department of Social Services to find out the updated orientation schedule and attend an orientation meeting. At the orientation, foster parent roles and responsibilities are discussed and questions are answered.
Contact us about general questions.
For residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Mateo, find out more information about your own county.
How much does it cost to adopt or fost-adopt?
A county adoption agency or the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) may require applicants to pay a $500 fee at the time it files a favorable court report recommending that an adoption petition be approved. The county adoption agency or CDSS may defer, waive, or reduce the $500 fee under certain circumstances. Adoption fees charged by licensed private adoption agencies are not regulated by the state and will vary.
The Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) provides financial and medical assistance to eligible children up to age 18, or age 21 if the child is disabled, who otherwise would remain in long-term foster care. The amount of assistance is dependent on the needs of the child and the family’s circumstances. It may begin immediately at placement. California Children’s Services are also available for physically challenged children at no cost to the adoptive parents if the physical challenge has been diagnosed at the time of adoption.
Can the biological parents take my adoptive child back?
No. After the adoption is finalized, children cannot be taken from their adoptive parent(s).
What kinds of questions will be asked on the application?
The application will request detailed personal and demographic information about the applicant and other members of the household. Health and medical information must be supplied and a tuberculosis (TB) test is required. The applicant and all members of the household over 18 must have a child abuse index check and be fingerprinted. This will also involve a criminal record check. An applicant with a criminal record may be rejected.
What is involved in the licensing process?
The home study is the most essential element of the licensing process. A licensing worker will visit the applicant’s residence to inspect the accommodation (including appropriate bedroom space), check for safety features, and interview members of the household.
Both of us work. Will I have to quit my job if I want to adopt or be a foster parent?
No. Both parents can be working as long as appropriate childcare arrangements can be made.
I don’t own my own home or I live in an apartment. Can I adopt?
Yes. You don’t have to own a house to give a home. You can rent or own as long as your home is safe and has enough room for family members. What is most important is the love, understanding, and guidance you can offer a child.
Can single parents adopt?
Yes. Single men and women can adopt. In fact, approximately one-fourth of the adoptions of children from the public foster care system are by single individuals.
Can gays and lesbians adopt?
Yes. Sexual orientation is not a barrier to adopting or fostering.
I’m over forty. Am I too old to adopt?
Not Necessarily. As long as you are in good health and have the energy and desire to be a parent, age is not a decisive factor. A 50- to 55-year-old person or couple may be perfect for the adoption of an older child.