Social Authority

Apply for a determination of the country-specific suitability of adoptive parents for an international adoption

Do you want to adopt a child from abroad? In addition to the general examination, you must qualify as adoptive parents for the respective country.

Detailed description

If you want to adopt a child from abroad, you must first have your suitability assessed as adoptive parents. To do so, you submit an application for a suitability assessment to the relevant authority.

When adopting from abroad, you will undergo two tests: the general suitability test and the country-specific suitability test.

The country-specific suitability assessment examines whether you can cope with the specific demands, stresses and risks associated with international adoption.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You would like to adopt a child from abroad.
  • You have already completed the general aptitude test and passed it successfully.

Documents required

No

Please note

No

Deadlines

There are no deadlines.

Procedure

  • You inform the competent authority that the general aptitude test has been completed with a positive result.
  • The responsible authority will examine you in accordance with legal requirements.
  • If you are eligible, a social report will be prepared and sent to the selected country of origin. This will serve as the basis for the further adoption process abroad.
  • If you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a rejection notice.

Processing time

Your request will be processed as quickly as possible.


An international adoption process typically takes at least 1.5 years, and often much longer. The duration depends primarily on whether and when a child is proposed from the country of origin.

Fees

The country-specific exam is free of charge.


Fees of EUR 1,200.00 are charged for an international adoption procedure, and you must also reimburse any expenses incurred (for example, for translations).

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§ 7c Adoption Placement Act (AdVermiG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/advermig_1976/__7c.html

Forms and downloads

Address and contact information

Social Authority

FS 43
Common Central Adoption Office

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Keywords: Test adoptive parents Adoptive parents Country-specific testing

Last updated: 06.02.2026