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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 5§ 9000 Stepparent And Partner Adoption

§ 9000 Stepparent And Partner Adoption

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 9000 Stepparent And Partner Adoption

Key Takeaways

  • •A stepparent or domestic partner can ask the court to adopt their spouse or partner's child.
  • •The adoption paperwork must include the child's birth details and old name, but not the child's name in the title.
  • •If the child has a guardian, the adoption and guardianship cases will be combined.
  • •The final adoption order will include the child's new name and old name.

Example

John is married to Sarah, who has a 5-year-old daughter, Emily, from a previous relationship. John wants to legally adopt Emily.

John can file adoption papers in the right county. The papers will include Emily's birth date and old name but won't have her name in the title. If Emily has a guardian, that case will be combined with the adoption. Once approved, the court order will show Emily's new name (if changed) and her old name.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9000 Stepparent And Partner Adoption

(a) A stepparent desiring to adopt a child of the stepparent’s spouse may for that purpose file a petition in any county authorized by Section 8609.5. (b) A domestic partner, as defined in Section 297, desiring to adopt a child of the other domestic partner may, for that purpose, file a petition in any county authorized pursuant to Section 8609.5. (c) The caption of the adoption petition shall contain the names of the petitioners, but not the child’s name. The petition shall state the child’s sex and date of birth and the name the child had before adoption. (d) If the child is the subject of a guardianship petition, the adoption petition shall so state and shall include the caption and docket number or have attached a copy of the letters of the guardianship or temporary guardianship. The petitioners shall notify the court of any petition for guardianship or temporary guardianship filed after the adoption petition. The guardianship proceeding shall be consolidated with the adoption proceeding. (e) The order of adoption shall contain the child’s adopted name and the name the child had before adoption. (f) If the petitioner has entered into a postadoption contact agreement pursuant to Section 8616.5, the petitioner shall file the agreement, signed by the participating parties, with the court before the adoption is finalized. (g) For the purposes of this chapter, stepparent adoption includes adoption by a domestic partner, as defined in Section 297. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 851, Sec. 10. (AB 1650) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

stepparent adoptiondomestic partneradoption petitionguardianship proceeding

Related Statutes

  • § 9001 Stepparent Adoption Investigation Report
  • § 9002 Stepparent Adoption Costs
  • § 9003 Stepparent Adoption Consent Rules
  • § 9004 Stepparent Adoption Inheritance Notice
  • § 9006 Adoption Petition Withdrawal Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 9000.
View Official Source