Our Services | Confirmatory Adoption

Legal Guidance for Confirmatory and Stepparent Adoptions

Confirmatory adoption provides a crucial layer of legal protection for certain family types formed through assisted reproduction.

At Tarnoff Family Formation, we guide families through the legal steps of confirmatory and stepparent adoptions with care, efficiency, and understanding. Our goal is to make the process straightforward and reassuring, so you can focus on what truly matters: your family.

Types of Adoptions We Handle

Each adoption case is handled with personal attention and respect — ensuring your legal foundation reflects the love and commitment already present in your home.

Confirmatory Adoptions

For families formed through surrogacy or genetic donation, we ensure that both parents’ legal rights are recognized under California law.

Stepparent Adoptions

For stepparents who need to establish their rights, we manage the legal adoption process so that a stepparent can become a legally recognized parent.

Second-Parent Adoptions

For unmarried partners, we secure equal parental rights to protect your family’s future.

Understanding the legal process

While every family’s situation is unique, most adoptions follow a clear path. We walk you through each step:

1. Preparing the Petition

We begin by gathering necessary documents and preparing your petition for adoption, ensuring all information is accurate and ready for court submission. For certain adoption types, a home study is required.

For confirmatory adoptions, we coordinate directly with the fertility clinic or surrogacy agency to ensure all required documentation is included.

2. Filing and Documentation

We file your adoption petition with the appropriate court and manage the entire process. We stay in contact throughout, providing updates and guidance on what to expect next.

For confirmatory and stepparent adoptions, our team handles this process quickly and efficiently to minimize waiting times and streamline approval.

3. Court Approval and Finalization

Once approved by the court, we’ll obtain your official Judgment of Adoption and ensure all relevant parties — including hospitals, state agencies, and vital record offices — are updated.
The process ends with a final order confirming your legal parental rights, and when necessary, an updated birth certificate.

Key Considerations

We help families navigate important details, including:

  • Which type of adoption best fits your situation

  • What documents and court filings are required

  • Whether a home study, investigation, or court appearance will be needed

  • How adoption ensures equal parental rights and long-term security

  • What timelines and costs you can expect

Our approach is:

  • Compassionate

    we honor the emotional side of the process

  • Educational

    less legal jargon, less confusion

  • Efficient

    proactive communication to avoid delays

  • Protective

    contracts and filings designed to safeguard everyone involved

Your family’s love is already complete — we’re here to make it official.

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