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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 3§ 8801 Birth Parent Adoption Selection

§ 8801 Birth Parent Adoption Selection

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

§ 8801 Birth Parent Adoption Selection

Key Takeaways

  • •The birth parent(s) must personally choose the adoptive parent(s) for their child. They can't let someone else do it for them.
  • •The birth parent(s) must really know the adoptive parent(s) well. This means knowing things like their full names, ages, jobs, health problems, past crimes, and if they have other kids.
  • •The adoptive parent(s) must tell the truth about their life, like if they’ve been in trouble with the law or have health issues.

Example

A mom wants to give her baby up for adoption. She asks her friend to pick a family for the baby.

This is not allowed. The mom must pick the family herself, and she must know important things about them, like their names, jobs, and if they have other kids. She can't just let her friend decide.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8801 Birth Parent Adoption Selection

(a) The selection of a prospective adoptive parent or parents shall be personally made by the child’s birth parent or parents and may not be delegated to an agent. The act of selection by the birth parent or parents shall be based upon personal knowledge of the prospective adoptive parent or parents. (b) “Personal knowledge” as used in this section includes, but is not limited to, substantially correct knowledge of all of the following regarding the prospective adoptive parents: their full legal names, ages, religion, race or ethnicity, length of current marriage and number of previous marriages, employment, whether other children or adults reside in their home, whether there are other children who do not reside in their home and the child support obligation for these children and any failure to meet these obligations, any health conditions curtailing their normal daily activities or reducing their normal life expectancies, any convictions for crimes other than minor traffic violations, any removals of children from their care due to child abuse or neglect, and their general area of residence or, upon request, their address. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 125. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

prospective adoptive parentpersonal knowledgebirth parent

Related Statutes

  • § 8801.5 Birth Parent Adoption Rights
  • § 8801.7 Birth Parent Post-Placement Interview
  • § 8813 Birth Parent Adoption Updates
  • § 8815 Adoption Consent Withdrawal Rules
  • § 8820 Adoption Consent Appeal Rights

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 8801.
View Official Source