Warning: Self-Help Resources are NOT legal advice and may not apply to your case. Please talk to a lawyer about the facts of your case.
There are 30 resources
Adoption
(Separate Website)
This links to the Courts' information about adoption. It contains forms and general information.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Adoption
(Separate Website)
Manual for Grandparent-Caregivers and Their Advocates.
By: Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Adoption Assistance Program
(Separate Website)
You must download this fact sheet. After clicking on the above link, click on "Adoption_Assistance.doc"
By: Youth Law Center
Birth Records Self-Help Kit: How Native American Adoptees Can Get Their Birth Records in California
(Separate Website)
This guide explains what you need to do if you were adopted; you think you are Indian; you live in California and/or were born in California; and you want to enroll in your tribe.
By: California Indian Legal Services - Escondido
Child Citizenship Act Program Update
(Separate Website)
The USCIS has reengineered its processing in order to streamline the production of Certificates of Citizenship for certain children adopted abroad.
By: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
English/Chinese Glossary of California Department of Social Services Terms
(Separate Website)
By: California Department of Social Services
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
English/Russian Glossary of San Francisco County Department of Human Services Terms
(Separate Website)
By: San Francisco County Department of Human Services
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
English/Spanish Glossary of California Department of Social Services Terms
(Separate Website)
By: California Department of Social Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
English/Vietnamese Glossary of California Department of Social Services Terms
(Separate Website)
By: Law Foundation of Silicon Valley -- Legal Advocates for Children & Youth
Families & Children Forms and Instructions from the Office of the Courts
(Separate Website)
This links to different types of court forms used in family law cases.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Frequently Asked Questions about Adoption in California
(Separate Website)
By: California Department of Social Services-- Children and Family Services Division
Glossary of Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
A Glossary of terms from the California Courts Self-Help Center
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Going to Court Without a Lawyer - Representing Yourself in Court
(Separate Website)
Whatever the reason, you have the right to represent yourself, to be your own lawyer in all cases in California. It is very important that you learn about what is at stake in your case.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How Do I Immigrate an Adopted or Prospective Adopted Child or Help My Adopted Child Become a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident?
(Separate Website)
This consumer guide explains three different ways to immigrate an adoptive child from overseas to become a lawful permanent resident or to become a U.S. citizen.
By: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How's Your Legal Health?
(Separate Website)
Legal Health Checklist
By: The State Bar of California
Legal Document Assistants (LDAs)
(Separate Website)
A Legal Document Assistant is NOT a Lawyer. By law, they cannot give you legal advice or represent you in the courts in any matter. An LDA is a professional who is authorized to prepare legal documents for a client, but only at the direction of the client.
By: California Association of Legal Document Assistants (CALDA)
Legal Recognition of LGBT Families
(Separate Website)
By: National Center for Lesbian Rights
Legal Rights of Teens in Out-Of-Home Care
(Separate Website)
This booklet, based on California law, covers some of the concerns of a youth in out-of-home care, including types of placements, guardianship, independent living, role of the courts, visitation, confidentiality, pregnancy, money, religion, driving, emancipation and rights and responsibilities of youth in out-of-home care, group or foster homes
By: Youth Law Center
Overview of the Foster Care System in California
(Separate Website)
You must download this fact sheet. After clicking on the above link, click on "Foster_Care_Syetem.doc"
By: Youth Law Center
Parents Who Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Same Gender Loving, and Two-Spirit -- Protect Your Rights!
(Separate Website)
Know-your-rights brochure for parents.
By: National Center for Lesbian Rights
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Public Benefits
(Separate Website)
Manual for Grandparent-Caregivers and Their Advocates.
By: Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Public Law Library of Orange County
(Separate Website)
Open to the public, the county law library provides legal information material and resources held in its collection for your research.
By: Council of California County Law Librarians
Social Security Numbers For Children
(Separate Website)
The California Domestic Partnership Law: What it Means for You and Your Family
(Separate Website)
The purpose of this publication is to provide information about California's domestic partnership law to couples who are registered as domestic partners with the State of California or who are considering doing so.
By: National Center for Lesbian Rights
The Grandparent's and Other Relative's Guide to Raising Children with Disabilities
(Separate Website)
Federal, state, and local programs are available to help you raise children who have disabilities. This guide describes programs for children with disabilities that can help caregivers in different ways.
By: Children's Defense Fund
The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children
(Separate Website)
A 43-page booklet that describes the intercountry adoption process and explains the major issues adoptive parents should understand before they begin the process.
By: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
What Can A Lawyer Referral Service Do For Me?
(Separate Website)
What's Happening In Court?
(Separate Website)
An activity book for children who are going to court in California.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
LawHelpCA Home
(Separate Website)
(Separate Website)
Choose Another Location
