1. Birth Records Self-Help Kit (pdf)
(How Native American Adoptees Can Get Their Birth Records in California)

2. What is a California Caregivers Affidavit? (pdf)
(How a relative can enroll a child in school & obtain medical care for a child)

3. What is an Indian Custodian? (pdf) (Defines Indian Custodian under the Indian Child Welfare Act)

California Judges Benchguide: Indian Child Welfare Act (2010 edition) now available.

Note: Due to the length of the publication's sections, each section can be separately viewed, downloaded and printed.

Please click on the appropriate link to view each section below:

Introduction

Table of Contents

Section I - Scope and Use of Benchguide

Section II - Historical Context

Section III - Overview of Indian Child Welfare Act

Section IV - General Application of the Act

Section V - Jurisdiction under the ICWA

Section VI - Notice

Section VII - Intervention

Section VIII - Evidentiary Requirements

Section IX - Placement

Section X - Dependency Proceedings

Section XI - Delinquency Proceedings

Section XII - Probate Guardianship Proceedings

Section XIII - Family Law Proceedings

Resource Directory

Appendices Table of Contents

Appendix A: The Indian Child Welfare Act

Appendix B: BIA Guidelines

Appendix C: All County Letters & All County Information Notices  (Note: This is a large file. Please allow time to load Appendix C.)

All pages are offered in .pdf format and can be viewed using a Reader. To download Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click here:

This publication can be reproduced without the express permission of California Indian Legal Services. However, this work may not be altered, changed or amended in any manner.

California Judges Benchguide - The Indian Child Welfare Act, © 1998, 2000, 2010 California Indian Legal Services

1. What is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)? (pdf)
(Basic guide for parents and Indian families about the ICWA)

2. What is an Indian Custodian? (pdf) (How an individual can be considered an Indian Custodian under the Indian Child Welfare Act. Includes form)

1. How Can I Get A Fee Waiver for My Court Fees and Costs? (pdf)
(How to ask a court to file a case for no fee)

1. Probate for Native Americans (pdf)
(Basic guide to understanding the federal and state probate process for Indians)

2. What is the American Indian Probate Reform Act (AIPRA)? (pdf)
(Guide to understand the effect of the AIPRA for those with or without a Will)

1. Currently Under Revision. Information regarding the exemption from State income taxation in certain circumstances.