Adoption (adoption agency)

  • Performance specification

    Before a child is placed, the applicants for adoption are prepared for life with a foreign child. The preparation includes a suitability check by the adoption agency of the youth welfare office or an independent agency.

    Detailed preparation is also necessary for the adoption of a child from abroad, which is carried out by the adoption agency of the youth welfare office or by the recognised international placement agency through which the child is to be placed.

  • Process flow

    In order for you to be considered as possible adoptive parents to take in a child, the adoption agency of the Youth Welfare Office will discuss the topic of adoption with you in detail. This will clarify whether you meet the personal requirements for taking in a child. You will also be heard about your personal conditions, your social environment and your family relationships.

    If the requirements for adopting a domestic child have been positively confirmed by your youth welfare office or the adoption agency, you can apply to adopt a child at all youth welfare offices in the Federal Republic of Germany.

    After a child has been placed with you, an adoption care period of approx. one year is required before the adoption is pronounced by the court. The adoption agency of the Youth Welfare Office is also available to advise you during this time.

  • Requirements

    You must be at least 25 years old. In the case of married couples, the partner must be 25 years old and the other at least 21 years old. The age difference between child and adoptive parents should correspond to the average age difference between natural parents and children. An upper age limit is not set by law, but age can serve as an indicator pointing to other characteristics, such as health, life experience, resilience, flexibility.

    In principle, single persons can adopt a child in addition to married couples. In the case of unmarried couples or couples living in a civil partnership, only one partner at a time can adopt the child. Since 2014, civil partners have been allowed to adopt the child their partner has adopted in a subsequent adoption.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Extended certificate of good conduct,
    • Proof of income and assets to verify the economic situation,
    • Health certificate to ensure that there are no life-shortening or serious mental illnesses,
    • as well as civil status certificates.

  • What are the fees?

    While the placement of a domestic child is free of charge, the placement of a child from abroad incurs fees for the preparation of the suitability report and the placement, plus further costs for translations and certifications.

  • Processing time

    No information can be given on this

  • Legal basis

  • What else should I know?

    The principle of every adoption placement is that parents are sought for children, not children for parents. There is no guarantee that a child will be placed.

  • Comments


Who do I need to contact?

The adoption agency of the local youth welfare office of your district or the independent city in which you live is responsible.

Responsible departments

Responsible staff