For more information, call the San Bernardino County Adoption Service at (909) 891-3300 or 1-800-722-4477
or email: llittle@hss.sbcounty.gov
County Adoption Service
1495 E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
What services does County Adoption Service provide?
The County Adoption Service helps a child become a permanent member of another family. This becomes necessary when a child is not able to be safely returned to his or her family.
Who are the children waiting for adoption?
Many children await adoption in foster homes. Most of these children have been removed from their families and their parents or guardian's parental rights have been terminated
due to abuse, abandonment, or severe neglect. Some children are available for adoption because their parents or guardians have voluntarily relinquished their parental rights.
These children vary in age, ethnicity, and cultural background. Many have special needs or are more difficult to place due to one or more of the following conditions:
- They are members of a sibling group and wish to be adopted together by one family.
- They have a mental, physical, medical or emotional impairments.
- They are three years old or older (not infants or very young toddlers)
- They come from adverse parental backgrounds (i.e., drug addiction, mental or physical illness).
What are the requirements to adopt a child?
To be successful, adoptive parents must be prepared to provide a lot of love and must be patient, tolerant, flexible, energetic, competent and have a good sense of humor.
They must posses or be willing to develop special skills and abilities to assist their child in becoming a successful independent adults. Successful adoptive families must understand that adoption is a life-time commitment. You may be eligible to adopt a child if you are a resident of San Bernardino County, single or married, 21 years or older, in good physical and mental health, and approved by the County Adoption Service.
How do you get started?
Click on the links below for more adoption information.