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Safely Surrendered Baby Program - 211 San Joaquin | Get Connected. Get Help.

Safely Surrendered Baby Program

Agency: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (CDSS)

  • Description:

    Provides a safe location to surrendered newborn infants.

    Safely Surrender Baby Law: A parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially and without fear of prosecution within 72 hours of birth.

    A baby can be safely surrendered at a public or private hospital or fire station. At the time of surrender, a bracelet is placed on the baby for identification purposes, and a matching bracelet is provided to the parent or lawful guardian. A parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim their baby. The baby will be placed in a foster or pre-adoptive home.

    • Phone:

    Email: ssb@dss.ca.gov
    Website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/safely-surrendered-baby

    Program Hours

  • Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

    • Location(s)

    CDSS Main Office - Sacramento

    • Accessibility: Potential limitations to access – call for information
    • Address: 744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

    Program Delivery

    • Eligibility: Any person with lawful custody of newborn baby
    • Languages: English
    • Application Process: Walk-in to any fire station or hospital to safely surrender an infant
    • Program Fees: Free
    • Required Documents: Complete a medical questionnaire, however, can be voluntarily filled out and returned at the time the child is surrendered or may be completed later and mailed in the envelope provided for this purpose.

      • Service Area

    • Defined Coverage Area: N/A