CHANGES FOR ALL INDEPENDENT ADOPTION PETITIONS FILED IN CALIFORNIA ON

OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2008:

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or delegated county adoption agency

(Alameda, Los Angeles, San Diego) is required to investigate all Independent Adoption

Petitions and submit a final report to the court with its findings within 180 calendar days, as

long as full payment has been received.

After the petition is filed with the court, the petitioner must mail a copy and 50% of the fee to one

of the seven CDSS District Offices or to one of the three delegated county adoption agencies.

 The 180-day time-frame will begin once CDSS or the delegated county adoption agency

has received a copy of the filed petition and 50% of the fee.

The fee for the cost of the investigation of an Independent Adoption petition is $4,500.

The fee for the cost of the investigation of an Independent Adoption petition for a family with a

completed, approved pre-placement evaluation is $1,550. The pre-placement evaluation must

meet the requirements of Family Code Section 8811.5.

The remaining 50% of the fee must be paid no later than the date determined by the CDSS or

the delegated county adoption agency. The CDSS or delegated county adoption agency

cannot file the final court report until the remainder of the fee is paid.

The fee for all Independent Adoption investigations is non-refundable.

Requests for fee waivers will no longer be accepted.

The fee may be reduced in some cases where the prospective adoptive parent(s) is at or

below the very low income limits according to the income limits published by the Department

of Housing and Community Development (http://www.hcd.ca.gov/hpd/hrc/rep/state/incNote.html),

and making the required payment would be detrimental to the welfare of an adopted child.

However, in no case will the fee be reduced to less than $500. Prior to filing a petition with the

court, petitioners may contact CDSS at (916) 651-8089 to determine if they may qualify for a

fee reduction.

Adopting families may be eligible for a tax credit for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an

eligible child (http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics). Please consult your tax advisor.

Certain criminal offenses will now require the CDSS or delegated county adoption agency to

recommend denial of the petition. Petitioners with a history of criminal offenses should check

the CDSS website to verify whether any offense listed will prevent them from receiving a

favorable recommendation