Adoption eines ausländischen Kindes beurkunden lassen

Would you like to adopt a child from abroad? Then you should clarify in advance the recognition of such an adoption in Germany. After the foreign adoption, the foreign birth certificate of your adopted child remains valid. As adoptive parents, you can nevertheless additionally apply for a certification in the birth register in Germany if the child has acquired German citizenship as a result of the adoption.

Note: If a German court decides on an adoption, it will also carry out the certification. The same applies if a German family court converts a foreign adoption from a weak to a strong adoption.

Detailed information is available in the procedure description "Adoption of a foreign child - applying for conversion of a weak adoption into a strong adoption".

• All documents that were required for the adoption in the country of origin.

Note: You need foreign documents with over-authentication by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German mission abroad.

• Updating the civil status register at the registry office of the place of residence: free of charge
• Notarization of a birth that took place abroad: subject to a fee

You must apply for the certification of the birth of your child born abroad at the registry office of your place of residence. Here you can apply for a new birth certificate at the same time.

The registry office will enter the birth and you as adoptive parents in the civil status register.

Note: The registry office that certifies the birth of your child born abroad automatically informs other registry offices.

The registry office of your residence

The registry office of your residence