Alameda County Superior Court
Adoption Self Help
The Adoption Hearing
To finalize the adoption, you must have a hearing in
Court. This section tells you how
to schedule your hearing, and what to do before and after your hearing.
Contact Social Services
Click on a topic to learn more:
- Fill
out the forms
- File the
forms
- Pay the
filing fees
- Get a
hearing date
- Is
the hearing confidential?
- What to
bring to the hearing
- What do
I do after the hearing?
- Fill out the forms
You can download the forms you need from the Judicial Council’s Self-Help Center's form page or by clicking on the form links, below:
Tip:
from the state
form page, use the dropdown box to choose “Adoption.” Then, click the
“See forms” button.
- File the forms
File your adoption forms in the Clerk's Office of the Superior Court.
- Pay the filing fees
You have to pay a filing fee for each child you want to adopt. Look for the Adoption Petitions fee on the court's web site. You can pay by cash, check or credit card. Make your check payable to the Superior Court.
- Get a hearing date:
Once the home study report has been prepared by Social Services, you may contact the Clerk's Office to schedule the hearing.
- Is the hearing
confidential?
Yes. All adoption proceedings are heard privately in the Judge's chambers. Friends, family, and cameras are always welcome.
- What to bring to
the hearing
Bring the child you are adopting, a camera (if you want a photo of you and your child with the judge), and any friends and relatives you want to have with you.
If you are adopting a stepchild, the child, natural parent and stepparent must come to the hearing.
- What do I do after
the hearing?
After your hearing, file your papers with the courtroom clerk. You can get certified copies of the Order of Adoption for a fee. Just ask the clerk.
© 2004 Superior Court of California County of Alameda