Accompanying the child in the search for its origins Accompaniment

Are you adopted and looking for your family of origin? Then you can seek advice from your local youth welfare office or adoption agency. Members of the family of origin can also receive support in their search for the whereabouts of an adopted child.

Adopted children have the right to know their own parentage. Upon reaching the age of 16, the adopted child has the right to inspect their own placement file under the supervision of a specialist. The adoptive parents can also inspect the placement file until the adopted child reaches the age of majority.

For data protection reasons, only information about the adoptee's own background and life story is made available for inspection. This means that it is not always possible to read through the entire file.

The files on adoption placements must be kept for 100 years from the birth of the child at the responsible public or independent adoption agency. Adoptive children and their families are also accompanied by specialists from the adoption agency in their search for the birth parents.

If you wish, you can also receive advice anonymously.

• Locally responsible adoption agency of the youth welfare office
• Joint Central Adoption Office Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse
• Recognized independent adoption agency
• Recognized foreign adoption agency in independent sponsorship
  

• Locally responsible adoption agency of the youth welfare office
• Joint Central Adoption Office Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse
• Recognized independent adoption agency
• Recognized foreign adoption agency in independent sponsorship
  

To access the file, the adoptee must submit an informal written application to the responsible office. The identity card/passport must also be presented.

To access the file, the adoptee must submit an informal written application to the responsible office. The identity card/passport must also be presented.

If you have been adopted, you have the right to know your own parentage and the right to inspect the files. Everything else will be discussed with the specialist on a case-by-case basis.

The files can be inspected if the competent adoption agency receives an informal written request. As only the adoptees themselves can inspect the files, the competent adoption agency must be satisfied that the person inspecting the files is the adoptee personally. The identity card/passport must therefore be presented.

The inspection of files is an emotionally moving moment, which is why the adoptee can bring a trusted person to the appointment. The interview prior to the inspection and the inspection of the file itself are professionally accompanied and supported. The specialists take enough time to answer any questions that may arise during the inspection.

There are no deadlines.

The duration of processing depends on the individual case.

Information, advice and support are free of charge. However, fees may be charged for the search for origin abroad, e.g. translation or postage costs etc. If you have been placed by a recognized adoption agency or foreign placement agency, fees may be charged for advice and support. The amount of the costs can be obtained from the recognized adoption agency or foreign placement agency.