Adopt a child from abroad

One speaks of an intercountry adoption if the child lives in another state before the adoption and moves or is supposed to move to Germany due to the adoption. The nationality of the child and your own nationality do not play a role.

The adoption can take place abroad, but also in Germany. Mostly, however, it is pronounced in the country of origin.
Adoptions that take place in Germany are also considered foreign adoptions if the child has only come to Germany in the last 2 years before the application and the adopters live in Germany.

During the whole time you will be accompanied by a placement office, which will advise and support you. If you wish, the placement office will also be there for you after the adoption procedure has been completed. After the adoption, the countries of origin usually want to be informed about the life of the children in the form of development reports. The placement office will also discuss this with you.

Requirements

If you wish to adopt a child, then under German law you must have unlimited legal capacity and be at least 25 years old. If you are married, at least one of the two spouses must be 25 years old, with the younger spouse being at least 21 years old.

There is no maximum age for adoptive parents set by law. The age difference to the adopted child should correspond to a natural distance, according to the Federal Working Group of the State Youth Welfare Offices.
Normally, the following applies: a married couple - regardless of gender - can only jointly adopt a child. Whether an international adoption by same-sex couples is possible depends largely on the legal situation in the country of origin of the adopted child. However, single persons can also adopt a child.

You must be suitable as adoptive parents. In addition, you must be specifically suitable for an intercountry adoption.

Further requirements result from the law of the country from which the child originates.