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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 3§ 8817 Adoption Medical Background Report

§ 8817 Adoption Medical Background Report

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

§ 8817 Adoption Medical Background Report

Key Takeaways

  • •Before adopting a child, the parents must get a report about the child’s health, school records, and family history.
  • •The child’s birth parents can give a blood sample for DNA testing, but they don’t have to. If they don’t, the adoption can still happen.
  • •The blood sample is stored for 30 years so the child or adoptive parents can use it later for DNA tests.
  • •No one’s identity is shared when the blood sample or DNA results are given out.

Example

A couple wants to adopt a baby. The baby’s birth parents agree to give a blood sample.

The adoption agency will write a report about the baby’s health and family history. The blood sample is stored so the baby can get DNA tests later if needed. The birth parents’ names stay private.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8817 Adoption Medical Background Report

(a) A written report on the child’s medical background, and if available, the medical background of the child’s biological parents so far as ascertainable, shall be made by the department or delegated county adoption agency as part of the study required by Section 8806. (b) The report on the child’s background shall contain all known diagnostic information, including current medical reports on the child, psychological evaluations, and scholastic information, as well as all known information regarding the child’s developmental history and family life. (c) The report shall be submitted to the prospective adoptive parents who shall acknowledge its receipt in writing. (d) (1) The biological parents may provide a blood sample at a clinic or hospital approved by the State Department of Health Services. The biological parents’ failure to provide a blood sample shall not affect the adoption of the child. (2) The blood sample shall be stored at a laboratory under contract with the State Department of Health Services for a period of 30 years following the adoption of the child. (3) The purpose of the stored sample of blood is to provide a blood sample from which DNA testing can be done at a later date after entry of the order of adoption at the request of the adoptive parents or the adopted child. The cost of drawing and storing the blood samples shall be paid for by a separate fee in addition to the fee required under Section 8810. The amount of this additional fee shall be based on the cost of drawing and storing the blood samples but at no time shall the additional fee be more than one hundred dollars ($100). (e) (1) The blood sample shall be stored and released in such a manner as to not identify any party to the adoption. (2) Any results of the DNA testing shall be stored and released in such a manner as to not identify any party to the adoption. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1053, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

adoptioninformationhealthmedicalcontractreleasehospitalport

Related Statutes

  • § 8706 Adoption Medical Background Disclosure
  • § 8909 Child Medical Disclosure Report
  • § 8702 Birth Parent Health Disclosure
  • § 6930 Minor Consent For Abuse Care
  • § 8801.3 Adoption Placement Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 8817.
View Official Source