Guardianship by the foster parents

    In appropriate cases, foster parents may be given guardianship of the child you are caring for.

    Description

    If there is guardianship for a foster child, this can be transferred to the foster parents. As a rule, such a transfer only makes sense if it is foreseeable that the child will live with the foster parents permanently or at least for a longer period of time.

    The transfer of guardianship to the foster parents can be suggested, among other things, by the foster parents themselves and by a youth welfare office. There is no formal application procedure.

    If foster parents are given guardianship, they represent their foster child in all legal matters. In principle, they are as independent as the parents of a child, but they are under the supervision of the court. The well-being and interests of the foster child must be at the forefront of all decisions. Important decisions must be discussed with the child within the scope of his or her possibilities.

    Competent office

    not specified

    Contact point

    To the District Court (Family Court)

    Contact person

    Unfortunately, no contact persons were found for District Wesermarsch (Lower Saxony). Please check the service description above for information on how to find the responsible contact person.

    Forms

    The establishment of a guardianship and the related appointment of specific persons or bodies is not a benefit that is requested.

    Whether a court uses a form for required information is up to the court's decision.

    Prerequisites

    If guardianship is to be established for a child placed in a foster family, guardianship may also be granted to the foster parents. Such an arrangement is particularly appropriate if the child is well integrated into his or her foster family and it is foreseeable that he or she will be cared for there for a longer period of time.

    The child and the Youth Welfare Office have legal options against the transfer of guardianship to a specific person or body.

    Depending on the individual case, other persons may be entitled to file a reminder.

    Procedure

    The transfer of guardianship of a child to its foster parents can be suggested by the foster parents themselves, by a youth welfare office, but also by other persons (e.g. the child's parents).

    The competent court decides on the establishment of a guardianship and the transfer of guardianship to certain persons. The court decides on a case-by-case basis what information it deems necessary and which persons should be involved. As a rule, an opinion from the Youth Welfare Office is obtained.

    Notes (specifics)

    not specified

    Unterstützende Institutionen

    not specified

    Welche Dokumente resultieren aus dieser Leistung?

    not specified

    Area of validity

    Lower Saxony

    Official approval

    Officially approved by Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality

    Version

    Technisch erstellt on 17.01.2023
    Technisch geändert on 27.03.2026

    Keywords

    Youth welfare office, Foster family, Foster child

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de
    Technisch erstellt on 07.06.2017
    Technisch geändert on 14.05.2025

    Englisch

    Sprache: en
    Sprachbezeichnung nativ: English
    Technisch erstellt on 22.10.2025
    Technisch geändert on 23.10.2024