Frequently Asked Questions

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An Adoption Facilitator is an independent business entity that is in the business of matching prospective adoptive parent(s) with birth parent(s) who have decided to place their child for adoption. An Adoption Facilitator’s only legitimate service is to arrange contact between the birth parent and the prospective adoptive parent(s). Adoption Facilitators are not licensed adoption agencies. Following that contact, all further key actions to proceed with an adoption are performed by the birth parent and the prospective adoptive parent(s) and/or their attorney in an Independent adoption, or a licensed, public or private adoption agency in an Agency adoption. Adoption Facilitators must inform potential clients that they are not licensed adoption agencies. 

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/adoption-facilitators

We are able to give you financial assistance for expenses that are birth related expenses.

We encourage you to pick an adoptive family that you feel is a good match for you and your child.

There are several future contact options to choose from.  You can have the adoptive family share photos and updates with you 1 to 4 times a year, keep in contact via phone, in person or over the internet, or you can set up in person meetings.  It is up to you and the adoptive family.

There is no expense to the birth family.  The adoptive family helps pay all the fees.

You are not legally required to tell your parents that you are pregnant or that you are planning an adoption. They have no legal right to the child. Often secrets cause lots of problems in families and can be very burdensome to a prospective birth parent. We will help you work with your family during this difficult period. 

Kansas and Missouri law requires that the prospective birth father be notified. In those situations where we are unable to locate the prospective birth father, other legal avenues are available to complete the adoption. 

CDSS is able to accept and compile complaints against an adoption facilitator (Family Code Section 8632.5(k)) and forward the complaint to the adoption facilitator. If a response is received from the adoption facilitator, the response will be sent to the complainant. Please complete the Adoption Facilitator Complaint form (AD 72) and mail to:

Adoption Services Branch
744 P Street, MS 8-12-521
Sacramento, CA 95814

or email AdoptionFacilitator@dss.ca.gov.

The CDSS does not provide oversight over adoption facilitators. Any person harmed by a facilitator may bring a civil action for damages, rescission, injunctive relief or any other civil or equitable remedy, in addition to the Attorney General, district attorney or a city attorney. (Family Code section 8638.)