Adoption eines ausländischen Kindes

Do you want 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 an adoptive parent, you can still apply for a notarization in the birth register in Germany if the child has acquired German citizenship through adoption.

Please contact your local local adoption agency, the responsible central adoption agency or a recognized foreign placement agency under independent sponsorship.  
 
Note: If a German court decides on an adoption, it will also notarize the adoption. The same applies if a German family court converts a foreign adoption from a weak to a strong adoption.

Detailed information can be found in the procedure description "Adoption of a foreign child - Applying for conversion of a weak adoption into a strong adoption".

• all documents required for adoption in the country of origin
• If applicable, resolution in accordance with the Adoption Effects Act

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

See Recommendations on Adoption Placement , as amended, BAGLJÄ

- Health (good physical, mental and emotional condition)

- No previous convictions endangering the child's well-being

- Stable partnership

- Supportive network/social environment

- Secure economic conditions

- Life satisfaction/reflective personality

- Reference/attachment to the country of origin/culture

• Updating of the civil status registers at the registry office of the place of residence: free of charge
• Certification of a birth abroad: subject to a fee

You must apply for the registration 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 registers the birth and you as the adoptive parents in the civil status register.
 
Note: The registry office that certifies the birth of your child born abroad will automatically inform other registry offices.

The registry office of your place of residence

locally responsible adoption agency

Competent Central Adoption Office

Recognised foreign placement agency in independent sponsorship