Eighteen-month permanency review hearing: within 18 months of original removal

18 months after date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of the parent or guardian, under Welf. & Inst. Code 366.22(a)(1); 366.21(g)(1); 361.5(a)(3)(A).

Rule text

(a) (1) When a case has been continued pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 366.21, the permanency review hearing shall occur within 18 months after the date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of their parent or legal guardian.

Welf. & Inst. Code 366.22(a)(1); 366.21(g)(1); 361.5(a)(3)(A), official source

Calculate this deadline

DeadlineDate the child was originally removed from the physical custody of the parent or guardian

Deadline

Monday, May 8, 2028

Trigger (Date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of the parent or guardian): Friday, November 6, 2026.
Add 18 months: Saturday, May 6, 2028.
That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, May 8, 2028 (Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10, 133-135; Gov. Code 6800; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10. 'Judicial day' / 'court day': not defined in WIC or CRC 5.502.).

Rules applied

Welf. & Inst. Code 366.22(a)(1); 366.21(g)(1); 361.5(a)(3)(A)

(a) (1) When a case has been continued pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 366.21, the permanency review hearing shall occur within 18 months after the date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of their parent or legal guardian.

Official source

Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10, 133-135; Gov. Code 6800; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10. 'Judicial day' / 'court day': not defined in WIC or CRC 5.502.

CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." CCP 133: "Courts of justice may be held and judicial business transacted on any day, except as provided in this article." Gov. Code 6800: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(a): "The time in which any act provided by these rules is to be performed is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(b): "Unless otherwise provided by law, if the last day for the performance of any act that is required by these rules to be performed within a specific period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the period is extended to and includes the next day that is not a holiday."

Official source

The 18- and 24-month periods run from ORIGINAL REMOVAL, not from entry into foster care. Services may be extended to a maximum of 18 months after original removal (361.5(a)(3)(A)). For 342/387 petitions, 361.49(c) deems original removal to be the date the child was taken into custody on that petition.
If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.

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This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.

Worked example

Date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of the parent or guardian on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Friday, September 15, 2028.

Trigger (Date the child was originally removed from the physical custody of the parent or guardian): Monday, March 15, 2027.
Add 18 months: Friday, September 15, 2028.

Notes

The 18- and 24-month periods run from ORIGINAL REMOVAL, not from entry into foster care. Services may be extended to a maximum of 18 months after original removal (361.5(a)(3)(A)). For 342/387 petitions, 361.49(c) deems original removal to be the date the child was taken into custody on that petition.

Related deadlines

Date child is deemed to enter foster care (60-day prong) (60 days after)
Six-month review hearing: 6 months after initial disposition (6 months after)
Six-month review: no later than 12 months after entry into foster care (12 months after)
Twelve-month permanency hearing: no later than 12 months after entry into foster care (12 months after)
Twelve-month permanency hearing set no later than 18 months from initial removal (18 months after)
Twenty-four-month subsequent permanency review: within 24 months of original removal (24 months after)
Family maintenance review (child not removed): within 6 months of disposition (6 months after)
Social worker review report filed and served at least 10 calendar days before review hearing (10 days before)

All California juvenile deadlines

Local rules by county

County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.

Rules current as of 2026-10-26. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.