Ein fremdes Kind adoptieren

If you want to adopt a child, contact an adoption agency. In Germany, adoptions may only be arranged by certain agencies, the adoption agencies (in short: Adoptionsstelle).

The adoption agency is responsible for the adoption of related children, stepchildren and foreign children.

An adoption is a process and you will be accompanied by the adoption agency during the whole time. Even after the adoption process is complete, you have a legal right to counseling and support.

The Adoption Center will check whether you are suitable to adopt a child. To do this, you will take part in a seminar, submit documents and have discussions with the adoption center team. In addition, home visits take place. The focus is on the well-being of the child and the protection of his or her rights and needs.

If you qualify as an adoptive parent, you will be approved as a suitable adoption applicant. Then, the adoption agency may place a child.

Who is selected for which child is determined by the adoption center team. Placement occurs when the development of a positive parent-child relationship can be expected.

Requirements

• You must have unlimited legal capacity.
• You must be at least 25 years old.
• You have a secure income and/or sufficient financial security.
• Your professional circumstances must allow sufficient time to raise your children.
• You must be in good health. A certificate from your family doctor is sufficient. You can obtain a leaflet to present to the doctor from the adoption office.
• You must be free of criminal convictions. An extended certificate of good conduct is required (extract from the Federal Central Register). You can obtain a certificate to present to the city office from the adoption office.
• You must be willing to respect the child's religion or the desire for religious upbringing of the birth parents.

For couples:

• You should live in the same household for at least 4 years.
• In parallel, you must not pursue medical procedures to overcome your own childlessness.

If they are married also applies:

• You can adopt only jointly.
• One of you must be at least 25 years old. The younger one must be at least 21 years old.

Joint adoption is given priority. For single people, adoption is only considered if:

• a related child is being adopted.
• A significant relationship already exists with the child.
• the adoption preserves the familiar living environment.
• it is ensured that the child will grow up in stable social circumstances.