Any adult living in California may file a petition to adopt a child who is at least ten years younger than the petitioner.  Married couples are most likely to apply to become adoptive parents, although single and divorced individuals are not prohibited from adopting in California.  There is no particular age, housing situation, social background, or income level that makes certain people more qualified than others to be adoptive parents, although some applicants may be required to provide additional information to an agency; i.e. working parents would be required to confirm how child care will be provided in their absence.