How to Adopt a Teenager in California

When people often think of adoption, they usually think of babies. But, if you want to adopt a teenager in California, that is also possible. FCCA, an affiliate of American Adoptions, can help you provide a loving family for a teenager who has always deserved one.

To get more free adoption information now, contact us online whenever you’re ready to reach out to us. We are here to answer all your questions about adopting teenagers in California.

Can You Adopt a Teenager in California?

Yes, you can pursue teenage adoption in California. Although some people may not know how to adopt a teenager in California, foster care adoption is the primary means of doing so. This is because most children in the foster care system are older. Adopting a baby is more common in private domestic adoption.

In foster care adoption, teenagers are always waiting to find their forever families. You can be that family for them. Our agency can help you complete every step of this selfless, heroic mission. If you would like to begin this journey today, then fill out our online contact form at any time.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Teenager in California?

Foster care adoption is one of the most inexpensive ways to build a family. Because most children in foster care are older, such as teenagers, adopting teenagers in California is often more affordable than adopting a newborn. At our agency, you can expect to pay around $2,000.

To give you a better idea of what this cost encompasses, here is what it includes:

• Our home study fees
• Fingerprint and medical exam expenses
• Mileage for the initial home visit
• Court filing costs
• Expedited document processing

Keep in mind that, just as everyone’s adoption journeys are different, your adoption costs may look different, too. This depends on your specific adoption preferences and what county you live in.

How Much Is It to Adopt a Teenager in California with AAP?

In California, the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) exists to incentivize hopeful families to adopt teenagers and children who would otherwise remain in long-term foster care. This program can provide financial assistance for you and your future child, such as:

• A negotiated monthly rate
• Medical coverage via Medicaid or Medi-Cal
• Payment for an out-of-home placement
• Reimbursement of non-recurring adoption fees (up to $400 per adopted child)
• And more

Also, if your child is eligible, they can receive continued benefits until they turn 21. Those benefits apply whether you live in California or not, too.

How Hard Is It to Adopt a Teenager in California?

When you adopt a teenager in California through our agency, we guarantee that your adoption journey will be as smooth and stress-free as possible. This is because our “fos-adopt” process focuses on low-risk adoptions, meaning that the child’s reunification with their biological family is highly unlikely. In other words, it is much easier to adopt a teenager in California with us than it would be with most agencies.

By working with our agency, you can rest assured that you get to choose the child you adopt. It won’t feel like you’re taking a massive risk, completely uncertain whether you’ll get to adopt the child you have spent time connecting with. Get started on your adoption journey today by filling out our online contact form whenever you’re ready to reach out to us.

How Long Does It Take to Adopt a Teenager in California?

No two adoption processes look exactly alike, but there is a general timeline you can expect to follow at our agency. When you adopt a teenager in California from foster care, we’ll break the adoption journey down into three parts:

• Pre-placement (three to four months): Before placement, you’ll have to meet a handful of adoption requirements just like any hopeful parent. For example, you’ll undergo some background screening and clearances and foster-to-adopt training courses.
• Wait for placement (three to 12 months): Although most of our families receive a placement within six months of starting the process to adopt teenagers in California, that wait could still vary. Three to 12 months is a wide range, but we want to be as realistic and honest with you as possible.
• Placement period (minimum of six months): After your child begins living with you, you’ll receive post-placement support and continued visits from your social worker. This is to ensure everyone is adjusting well to their new lives together. You’ll also complete adoption finalization, which takes place in a local court and makes everything official.

If you have any more questions about how to adopt a teenager in California, then we are here to answer them for you. Whenever you’re ready to begin your adoption journey, contact us online to get more free information now.