BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 799
Author: Simitian (D)
Amended: 2005-04-12
Vote: 21
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE : 6-0, 4/5/05
AYES: Dunn, Ackerman, Cedillo, Escutia, Figueroa, Kuehl
NO VOTE RECORDED: Morrow
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 13-0, 5/26/05
AYES: Migden, Aanestad, Alarcon, Alquist, Ashburn, Battin,
Dutton, Escutia, Florez, Murray, Ortiz, Poochigian,
Romero
SUBJECT : Special filing fees: adoptions
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill lowers the special filing fee for
issuing a certificate of official character to documents
related to child adoptions from $20 to $10 per signature
(which is generally per document).
ANALYSIS : Existing law allows the Secretary of State to
charge and collect fees for various purposes, as specified.
Existing law also allows the Secretary of State to charge
and collect fees for copying and special handling in
connection with the services the office performs.
Existing law allows the Secretary of State to charge a
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special filing fee of $20 for issuing a certificate of
official character.
This bill provides that the Secretary of State may charge a
special filing fee of $10 when the certificate of official
character is issued for a document concerning child
adoptions.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2005-06 2006-07
2007-08 Fund
Revenue loss $230 $460 $460 General
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/27/05)
Adopt International and Domestic Services
National Council for Adoption
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : The author's office states that,
in 2003, over 20,000 immigration visas were issued to
orphans adopted from abroad. The author's office and
supporters note that these international adoptions can cost
over $30,000. A portion of this expense is the cost of
certification by the Secretary of State's office of
numerous documents, which is a requirement of the country
from which the child is being adopted. The author's office
provides an example of a family that adopted a child from
Russia. The family had to have 45 documents certified,
including such things as marriage license, birth
certificates, medical examinations, employment
verifications and financial statements. They note that
because they chose to have two sets of documents certified,
the cost was close to $2,000. They chose to have two sets
certified in case any documents were lost in the process.
The author's office also notes that, while the
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certification fee is $20, the Secretary of State's office
charges an additional $6 for over-the-counter or expedited
processing. The author states that often adoption-related
documents must be both notarized and certified, adding to
the expense. Finally, the author states that California is
one of only three states that charge $20 for certifying
adoption-related documents.
RJG:nl 5/27/05 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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