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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 13Pt. 2Ch. 3§ 8820 Adoption Consent Appeal Rights

§ 8820 Adoption Consent Appeal Rights

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

§ 8820 Adoption Consent Appeal Rights

Key Takeaways

  • •If the adoption agency doesn't accept the birth parent's consent after 180 days (or an extended period) of paying half the fee, the birth parent or the person wanting to adopt can appeal.
  • •If the adoption agency doesn't give their consent after full payment is received, the person wanting to adopt can appeal.
  • •The appeal goes to the same court where the adoption petition was filed, and the agency must explain why they refused within 10 days.
  • •The court can decide to allow the adoption if they think it's good for the child, even if the agency refused.

Example

A family wants to adopt a child. They pay half the fee, but the adoption agency doesn't accept the birth mother's consent for over 180 days.

The family can appeal to the court. The court will ask the agency why they refused, and if the court thinks the adoption is good for the child, they can allow it even without the agency's consent.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8820 Adoption Consent Appeal Rights

(a) The birth parent or parents or the petitioner may appeal in either of the following cases: (1) If for a period of 180 days from the date of paying 50 percent of the fee, or upon the expiration of any extension of the period granted by the court, the department or delegated county adoption agency fails or refuses to accept the consent of the birth parent or parents to the adoption. (2) In a case where the consent of the department or delegated county adoption agency is required by this chapter, if the department or agency fails or refuses to file or give its consent to the adoption after full payment has been received. (b) The appeal shall be filed in the court in which the adoption petition is filed. The court clerk shall immediately notify the department or delegated county adoption agency of the appeal and the department or agency shall, within 10 days, file a report of its findings and the reasons for its failure or refusal to consent to the adoption or to accept the consent of the birth parent or parents. (c) After the filing of the report by the department or delegated county adoption agency, the court may, if it deems that the welfare of the child will be promoted by that adoption, allow the signing of the consent by the birth parent or parents in open court or, if the appeal is from the refusal of the department or delegated county adoption agency to consent thereto, grant the petition without the consent. (d) This section shall become operative on October 1, 2008. (Repealed (in Sec. 13) and added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 759, Sec. 14. Effective September 30, 2008. Section operative October 1, 2008, by its own provisions.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

birth parentpetitionerdepartment or delegated county adoption

Related Statutes

  • § 2020 Responsive Pleading Deadline
  • § 7882 Parent Service By Publication
  • § 8801 Birth Parent Adoption Selection
  • § 8801.5 Birth Parent Adoption Rights
  • § 8801.7 Birth Parent Post-Placement Interview

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 8820.
View Official Source