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Advice for the father on consenting to the adoption of a child


If you wish to give your child up for adoption and are not married to the mother, you can refrain from applying for parental custody to be transferred to you after the birth of the child. You can declare this before the birth.

In order for a child to be given up for adoption, the consent of both parents is required. As a rule, this consent can only be given eight weeks after the birth of the child.

If the mother is not married, you as the father can give your consent to the adoption before the child is born if you are not entitled to custody. This consent must be notarized. Consent to an adoption cannot be notarized at a youth welfare office.

The father can also make a declaration that he will not apply for parental custody of the child. This declaration, which supplements the consent to waive the transfer of custody, must be notarized "publicly". "Public" means that the declaration can also be notarized. The declaration can also be notarized (in this case free of charge) at a youth welfare office.

Both when notarizing the consent to adoption and when notarizing the declaration of relinquishment, you will be informed of the legal consequences and effects of the notarization prior to notarization.

Requirements

You must be the father of the child. If paternity has not yet been legally established, you must be able to credibly prove that you are the child's father.
For example, the mother could confirm that you are the only possible father of the child.

What documents do I need?

  • Proof of identity

    e.g. identity card or passport