Adoption

Children from birth up to the age of 17 who can be adopted.

Adult adoption is the adoption of an adult as one's own child.

In this case, the adult to be adopted must file an application with the relevant family court. The court then examines whether a relationship similar to kinship exists.

In non-relative adoption, a child who is not related or related by marriage to the adoptive parents is adopted.

In stepchild adoption, the biological child of the partner is adopted.

In a domestic adoption, a child living in Germany is adopted.

In the case of an international adoption, it is mandatory to involve an international adoption agency in the adoption process. Otherwise, the foreign adoption is generally not recognized in Germany. International adoption agencies are the central adoption offices of the state youth welfare offices.

If you are interested in an international adoption, you will find a list of internationally recognized adoption agencies with a directory of the respective countries on the LVR website.

You can also find information at the Federal Central Office for International Adoption.

In a closed adoption, the biological and adoptive parents do not know each other, and there is no or only mediated information exchange or contact through the adoption agency.

In a semi-open adoption, there is usually no direct contact between the birth family and the adoptive family. However, with the adoptive parents' consent, the biological parents can participate in the child's development by exchanging pictures and development reports about the child through the adoption agency. Biological parents can also leave letters, pictures, or similar items for the child in the case file, which the adopted child can view under professional guidance.

In an open adoption, the adoptive parents and the biological parents meet each other. With the adoptive parents' consent, it can be agreed upon how the contact will be structured on both sides. This allows the biological parents to witness their child's upbringing.