Adoption in Germany: basics

In short: An adoption legally establishes a parent-child relationship between people who are not biologically related. It is strictly regulated in Germany and serves to protect the child.

In more detail: Youth welfare offices and adoption agencies are responsible, guiding the entire process.

In detail

• Requirements: Adopters must reach a minimum age and prove their suitability.
• Application process: Includes interviews, home visits and a thorough review of living circumstances.
• Pre-adoption fostering period: Before the final adoption, the child usually lives with the family for a while.
• Legal consequences: After adoption, the legal connection to the biological parents ends completely.
• Open adoption: Some families deliberately maintain contact with biological parents, though the adoption remains legally binding regardless.
• International adoption: Subject to additional international rules, such as the Hague Adoption Convention.
• Advice: Adoption agencies support families even after the adoption (pflegekinder-und-pflegefamilien).