San Diego Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you are interested in adoption as an expectant mother or a prospective adoptive parent in San Diego, there are many resources available to you in your area.

Read on to learn more about local adoption and foster care agencies, home study professionals and other San Diego adoption and foster care services. To learn more about adoption laws, processes and qualifications throughout the state, visit our California adoption page.

San Diego Adoption Agencies and Adoption Professionals

Throughout the adoption process, your adoption professional will provide the services and support you need. There are many adoption professionals to choose from, including national and local adoption agencies and adoption attorneys.

For some adoptive and birth parents, it is most convenient to work with a local adoption agency. Here are some of the local and regional agencies serving the San Diego area:

• American Adoptions
• American Adoptions of California,  4695 MacArthur Ct. 11^th Floor,  Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Adoption Center of San Diego
• Catholic Charities of San Diego
• Vista Del Mar

San Diego Foster Care Resources

Foster parent qualifications are determined by the state. To become a foster parent in California, you must complete a home study and meet with a licensing worker to ensure that you are fully prepared to foster a child.

If you need more information or if you are ready to begin the foster care or foster-to-adopt process in San Diego, contact one of the following local agencies:

• San Diego Health and Human Services
• Koinonia Family Services
• Walden Family Services

If you are interested in adopting an older child from the foster care system in San Diego, the adoption process may vary from the domestic infant adoption process. Additional information about fostering and adopting from foster care is available through the California Department of Social Services.  

Home Study Providers in San Diego

The home study is an important part of the process to become a foster or adoptive parent in San Diego. In California, the home study evaluates prospective parents and ensures they are ready to adopt based on criminal records checks, financial information, personal interviews, and more. For a detailed overview of what to expect during the home study process, visit our California adoption information page.

Your home study must be conducted by a legally qualified professional in California. To begin the home study process, contact a provider in your area:

Near San Diego:

• AAC – Alpha Adoption Centers
  877-955-2122
  Alpha Adoption Centers is a nonprofit adoption agency licensed by the state of California to provide domestic home studies and post-placement services for San Diego county residents.
• Nightlight Christian Adoptions
  714-693-5437
  Nightlight’s California office provides domestic, international and embryo adoption home study services for Southern California residents in San Diego County.

In California:

• Lilliput Children’s Services
  800-325-5359
  Lilliput is licensed to do adoption home studies for private domestic adoptions.

Visit 1800HomeStudy.com to learn more about California home study providers.

Hospitals in San Diego

One of the final steps in the adoption process is the hospital stay and arrival of the baby. If you are an expectant mother making an adoption plan, you will have control over your hospital plan, including who is in the delivery room with you, how much interaction you will have with your baby, and more.

Your adoption professional can coordinate with your delivery hospital to ensure a smooth labor and delivery process. As you create your hospital plan, you may be able to work with one of the following San Diego hospitals:

• Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego
  4077 5th StreetSan Diego, CA 92103
  619-294-8111
• Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
  3003 Health Center Drive
  San Diego, CA 92123
  858-939-3400
• Paradise Valley Hospital
  2400 East Fourth Street
  National City, CA 91950
  619-470-4321
• Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
  9888 Genesee Avenue
  La Jolla, CA 92037
  858-626-4123
• Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista
  435 H Street
  Chula Vista, CA 91910
  619-691-7000
• Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
  354 Santa Fe Drive
  Encinitas, CA 92024
  760-633-6501

Adoption Laws and Qualifications

Can I adopt in San Diego? What are the laws for placing a baby for adoption in San Diego? These are common questions for couples and individuals considering adoption. Adoption laws, qualifications and processes are determined by the state of California. The following provides some information about the types of adoption laws and regulations in place in San Diego and throughout the rest of the state.

For Birth Parents

Many expectant parents have questions about the laws, rules and process of placing a baby for adoption in San Diego. An overview of California laws regarding consent, relinquishment, and paternity is available here.

For Adoptive Families

If you have questions about the qualifications to adopt or foster a child, finalize an international adoption or use adoption advertisers or facilitators, visit our California adoption page for more information.

County Courts

The final step in the legal adoption process is finalization. Your adoption attorney will guide you through the finalization process and ensure your adoption is completed in accordance with California adoption laws. Find more information about your local court and adoption finalization in San Diego County.

Things to Do in San Diego

Many families adopting from San Diego end up spending some time in the city during the adoption process.  Whether you are visiting prospective birth parents or waiting for ICPC clearances, here are some attractions to visit during your stay:

• San Diego Zoo
• Balboa Park
• Torrey Pines State Reserve
• USS Midway Museum
• La Jolla Cove
• Cabrillo National Monument