Adoption of a German child - notarisation ex officio

  • Service description

    After successful placement by the responsible adoption centre 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 examines the application and - if the application proves to be admissible and well-founded - issues a legally binding adoption order.

  • Procedure

    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 notarised adoption application to the competent family court.
    • The family court examines all the documents, involves the adoption agency, among others, and decides on the adoption.
    • The family court shall pronounce the adoption of the child by order. Once this decision has been served, the adoption is effective and incontestable. The adopted child is given the surname of the adoptive family and has the same rights as a biological child.
  • Responsible office

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

  • Prerequisites

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

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

    Documents of the accepting party:

    • Proof of earnings, assets, debts
    • Proof of identity (identity card/passport)
    • Birth certificates
    • Registration certificates
    • Health certificates/medical certificates
    • Marriage certificate / civil partnership certificate
    • Expert opinion of the adoption agency
    • Consultation/involvement of the youth welfare office if it has not made any technical comments
  • What fees are incurred?

    • Notary fees
    • Legal costs
  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    There are no deadlines to observe.

  • Processing time

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

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

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

  • Applications / Forms

    none

  • What else should I know?

  • Short text

    • Adoption of a German child Decision
    • after successful placement by the responsible adoption centre (youth welfare office) and after the end of the fostering period
    • Notarised adoption application
    • responsible: Local Court - Family Court -
  • Typing

    2/3
  • Library entry status

    5

Responsible departments

Responsible employees