District Office Hamburg-Nord

Adoption of a child from another person General Information

Prerequisites

• You have unlimited legal capacity
• You are at least 25 years old.
• If you want to adopt a child as a couple, one of you must be at least 25 years old. The younger one must be at least 21 years old.
• You have a secure income and/or sufficient financial security.
• Your professional circumstances allow you enough time to raise your children.
• You are physically able to ensure the long-term upbringing and care of your child.
• You have no criminal record that would limit your suitability as a parent.
• They are prepared to respect the child’s religion or the biological parents’ wish for religious upbringing.

Documents required

Please note

• The adoption agency is responsible if you want to adopt a relative's child, a stepchild or a child of another person.
• You have no legal right to have a child placed.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

• You fill out an application form and create a biography in which you describe your previous life stages, family relationships and other emotional ties.
• The adoption agency will advise you, you will attend seminars, and home visits will be made.
• If you are considered as a suitable adoptive parent, you will be recognized as a suitable adoption candidate. The adoption agency can then match you with a child. The adoption agency team will determine who will be selected for each child.
• The adoption agency will provide you with information about the potential adopted child and you can get to know each other.
• A fostering period begins, during which the adopted child lives with you. Typically, the Youth Welfare Office acts as the child's guardian during this time, meaning you can make decisions for the child regarding all matters of daily life. However, any decisions beyond this must be coordinated with the Youth Welfare Office.
• After the foster period, you can apply for adoption with the help of a notary.
• The family court will examine your application and legally declare the adoption in the decision procedure.
• After the adoption procedure before the family court has been completed, the birth certificate is automatically registered in the birth register.
• With the adoption order, the child receives the legal status of your biological child. The legal relationship with the biological family ceases.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

Consultation is free of charge. However, costs may arise during the adoption process. The type and amount of these costs depend on the individual case. The responsible agency will be happy to inform you of these costs in advance.

Legal remedies

Contradiction


suit

Legal basis

Section 9 Adoption Placement Act (AdVermiG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/advermig_1976/__9.html