Adoption of a German child - notarization ex officio

Adoption as a child (adoption) is pronounced by the family court at the request of the adopting party.

After successful placement by the responsible adoption agency and after the end of the fostering period, you can submit an application for adoption to the responsible local court - family court.

The family court will examine the application and - if the application is found to be admissible and justified - will issue a legally valid adoption order.

The family court at your local district court decides on the application for adoption. In Hesse, not all local courts have family courts (§ 5 of the Ordinance on the Jurisdiction of the Courts). You can find the local court responsible for you via the justice portal of the federal and state governments.

To the registry office of the place of birth of your adopted child

• notarized adoption application
• notarized declaration of consent of the legal representative to the adoption application for a child under 14 years of age or
• notarized declaration of consent of the child over 14 years of age with the consent of the legal representative
• Notarized declarations of consent from the biological parents

Documents of the adopting parents:

• Proof of earnings, assets, debts
• Proof of identity (identity card/passport)
• birth certificates
• Registration certificates
• Health certificates/medical certificates
• Marriage certificate/ civil partnership certificate
• Professional statement from the adoption agency
• Consultation/involvement of the Youth Welfare Office if it has not issued a professional statement

none

• You want to adopt a child.
• You have all the necessary documents for the local court, such as the notarized adoption application.
• The family court will carry out the investigations required to establish the facts relevant to the decision ex officio and will examine the adoption procedure.

Against a rejection of the adoption application: Appeal within one month in accordance with §§ 58 ff. FamFG

If you would like to adopt a child, first contact the relevant adoption agency and go through an application procedure. Once you have passed the adoption care period, you can submit the adoption application:

• You or your notary must submit a notarized adoption application to the responsible family court.
• The family court examines all documents, involves the adoption agency, among others, and decides on the adoption.
• The family court pronounces the adoption of the child by means of a decision. The adoption is effective and incontestable upon delivery of this decision. The adopted child is given the surname of the adoptive family and has the same rights as a biological child.

There are no deadlines to observe.

At least 3 months due to the prescribed procedure, possibly longer in more complex procedures.

• Notary fees
• Court costs