Stepparent adoption to confirm parentage
If you and your spouse or domestic partner had a child through assisted reproduction or a gestational surrogacy, you may be able to use a simplified adoption process to confirm your parentage.
This process is called a stepparent adoption to confirm parentage.
Unlike other adoptions, there’s usually no investigation or court hearing.
Jump to section
Check if this is the right process for you
You can use this process if:
-
You and the other parent were married or domestic partners when your child was born, and
-
You are still married or domestic partners, and
-
You or your spouse gave birth to the child who was conceived through assisted reproduction or born through gestational surrogacy.
If you’re not sure which process is right, talk to a lawyer or your court’s self-help center. There may be other ways to establish the non-birth parent’s legal parentage.
How to do a stepparent adoption to confirm parentage
-
Fill out forms
- Stepparent Adoption Request (form ADOPT-203)
- Adoption Agreement (form ADOPT-210)
- You must sign this in front of the court clerk or a notary public.
- If your child is 12 or older, they must also sign it.
- Adoption Order (form ADOPT-215)
You also need to tell the court how your child was conceived. Attach one of these declarations to your ADOPT-203:
-
Declaration Confirming Parentage in Stepparent Adoption (form ADOPT-205), or
-
Declaration Confirming Parentage in Stepparent Adoption: Gestational Surrogacy (form ADOPT-206)
-
Use ADOPT-206 if your child was born outside California through a surrogacy and you were not both listed on the birth certificate.
-
You must also attach these forms:
-
File your forms and pay the fee
Take your forms to the court clerk in the county where you live.
To file:
-
Give the original and 2 copies to the clerk.
-
Pay a $20 filing fee (unless you have a fee waiver).
-
If you didn’t sign the ADOPT-210 in front of a notary, you can sign it in front of the court clerk when you file.
📌 Reminder: Ask the clerk for a stamped copy for your records.
-
-
Judge reviews your request
If everything is complete and you meet the requirements, the judge will sign the Adoption Order (form ADOPT-215).
✅ Once the judge signs the order, your adoption is complete.
⚠️ If the judge needs more information (called good cause), they may order an investigation or schedule a hearing. If that happens, your case will take longer.
Key takeaways
-
Use form ADOPT-203 for stepparent adoptions to confirm parentage.
-
This process is for married or domestic partners whose child was born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy.
-
You usually do not need a hearing or investigation.
-
The filing fee is $20 (unless waived).
-
The adoption is final when the judge signs the Adoption Order (ADOPT-215).