Adoption of a child after placement by the youth welfare office

Procedure

If you would like to adopt a child, you will first contact the appropriate adoption agency and go through an application process. After passing the adoption care period, the adoption application can be submitted:

• You or your notary must submit a notarized adoption application to the appropriate family court.
• The family court examines all documents, involves the adoption agency, among others, and decides on the adoption.
• The family court pronounces the adoption of the child by means of an order. When this decision is served, the adoption is effective and incontestable. The adopted child receives the surname of the adoptive family and has the same rights as a natural child.

Legal bases

• § 197 Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG)