Once parental rights are terminated by court order and the child is ordered legally freed for adoption, several forms are required to be filed with the court clerk before an adoption court case number will be assigned and a hearing date selected (by the clerk) for your adoption finalization court hearing. In California, a court hearing is required to finalize an adoption. You and the child will need to appear before a judge and a few questions will be asked of you as a formality, and then the judge will sign an adoption order finalizing your adoption.