California Codes

Cal. Family Code § 8714.5 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a)The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(1)It is the intent of the Legislature to expedite legal permanency for children who cannot return to their parents and to remove barriers to adoption by relatives of children who are already in the dependency system or who are at risk of entering the dependency system.

(2)This goal will be achieved by empowering families, including extended families, to care for their own children safely and permanently whenever possible, by preserving existing family relationships, thereby causing the least amount of disruption to the child and the family, and by recognizing the importance of sibling and half-sibling relationships.

(b)A relative desiring to adopt a child may for that purpose file a petition in the county in which the petitioner resides. Where a child has been adjudged to be a dependent of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and thereafter has been freed for adoption by the juvenile court, the petition may be filed either in the county where the petitioner resides or in the county where the child was freed for adoption.

(c)Upon the filing of a petition for adoption by a relative, the clerk of the court shall immediately notify the State Department of Social Services in Sacramento in writing of the pendency of the proceeding and of any subsequent action taken.

(d)If the adopting relative has entered into a postadoption contact agreement with the birth parent as set forth in Section 8616.5 the agreement, signed by the participating parties, shall be attached to and filed with the petition for adoption under subdivision (b).

(e)The caption of the adoption petition shall contain the name of the relative petitioner. The petition shall state the child’s name, sex, and date of birth.

(f)If the child is the subject of a guardianship petition, the adoption petition shall so state and shall include the caption and docket number or have attached a copy of the letters of the guardianship or temporary guardianship. The petitioner shall notify the court of any petition for adoption. The guardianship proceeding shall be consolidated with the adoption proceeding, and the consolidated case shall be heard and decided in the court in which the adoption is pending.

(g)The order of adoption shall contain the child’s adopted name and, if requested by the adopting relative, or if requested by the child who is 12 years of age or older, the name the child had before adoption.

(h)For purposes of this section, “relative” means an adult who is related to the child or the child’s half-sibling by blood or affinity, including all relatives whose status is preceded by the words “step,” “great,” “great-great,” or “grand,” or the spouse of any of these persons, even if the marriage was terminated by death or dissolution.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 10 cases, 1999–2019 · leading case: In Re Valerie A., 61 Cal. Rptr. 3d 403 (Cal. Ct. App. 2007).

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In Re Valerie A., 61 Cal. Rptr. 3d 403 (Cal. Ct. App. 2007). “(b); Fam.Code, § 8714.5, subd. (a)(2).) B FORFEITURE The Agency asserts Antonia did not request that the court order sibling visitation between the children and Adriana until September 2006, and thus forfeited any claim of error on appeal.”

Alameda Cnty. Soc. Servs. Agency v. Paula T., 232 Cal. App. 4th 1284 (Cal. Ct. App. 2015). “” (Fam. Code, § 8714.5, subd. (a).) A kinship adoption process was established that allows for continuing contact between birth parents and child if contact is found by the court to be in the best interest of the child.”

In Re Zachary D., 83 Cal. Rptr. 2d 407 (Cal. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 5× “(Fam.Code, §§ 8714.5 et seq.; Stats.1997, ch.”

S.H. v. M.M. (in Re C.e.), 243 Cal. Rptr. 3d 428 (Cal. Ct. App. 5th 2019). “" ( Fam. Code, §§ 8714.5, subd. (f), 8802, subd.”

TAYLOR M. v. Superior Court, 130 Cal. Rptr. 2d 502 (Cal. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “” (Fam. Code, § 8714.5, subd. (a)(1).) It has further declared: “This goal will be achieved by empowering families, including extended families, to care for their own children safely and permanently whenever possible, by preserving existing family relationships, thereby causing…”

TERESA J. v. Superior Court, 2002 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 9876 (Cal. Ct. App. 2002). “) In addition to providing for kinship adoption agreements (Fam. Code, §§ 8714.5, 8714.7), Assembly Bill No.”

Sacramento Cnty. Dep't of Health & Human Servs. v. Dorie D., 99 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 2335 (Cal. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 5× “(Fam. Code, § 8714.5 et seq.; Stats. 1997, ch.”

In re Amir S. CA2/4 (Cal. Ct. App. 2016). “(Fam. Code, § 8714.5, subds. (a)(1), (2).) There are, however, certain requirements which must be met and procedures with which parents must comply before relinquishment is effective.”

Guardianship of C.E. (Cal. Ct. App. 2019). “” (Fam. Code, §§ 8714.5, subd. (f), 8802, subd.”

Ronald R. v. Jamie R., 181 Cal. App. 4th 1359 (Cal. Ct. App. 2010). “)C 18 ] The agreement may include, but is limited to, visitation and future contact with the child and his or her siblings and half-siblings and the sharing of information about the child. (Fam. Code, § 8714.7, subd. (a).”

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