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California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Registry of California Adoption Facilitators
Listing on this website is not intended to be an endorsement of any facilitator by CDSS.
CDSS does not provide oversight over adoption facilitators. Any person harmed by a facilitator may bring a civil action for damages, rescission, injunctive relief or any other civil or equitable remedy, in addition to the Attorney General, district attorney or a city attorney. (Family Code section 8638)
Along with the application, the applicant shall provide all of the following information to CDSS (Family Code section 8632.5):
- Three years experience employed by a public or private adoption agency licensed by the department, a registered adoption facilitator, or an adoption attorney who assists in bringing adopting persons and placing parents together for the purpose of adoption placement.*
- Two years of college courses with at least half of the units and hours focusing on social work or a related field.*
- A valid business license.
- Valid identification.
*Note: The applicant may waive the education and experience requirements if they meet all of the following:
- Five years work experience providing direct adoption services for a licensed adoption agency.
- The person has not been found liable of malfeasance in connection with providing adoption services.
- The person provides three separate letters of support attesting to their ethics and work providing direct adoption services from any of the following:
- A licensed public or private adoption agency.
- A member of the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers.
- The State Department of Social Services.