Adoption in plain language

Then you can go to an adoption agency.

This is also known as an adoption center.

An adoption agency is a counseling center.

You can get all the information you need there.

The specialists will help you with the adoption process.

And the specialists will prepare you for the adoption.

• What is an adoption?
• Who can adopt a child?
• What is an adoption agency responsible for?
• How does an adoption work?
• What does the adoption agency check?
• When can a child be placed?
• What do you need for the application?
• What does an adoption cost?
• Where can you get help and advice?

Perhaps you would like to adopt a child.

This means that
an unfamiliar child should become part of your family.

It lives and lives with you.

You take care of the child.

It's like having your own child.

After the adoption, you are the child's parents.

Would you like to adopt a child?

Then a few things are important.

For example:

• You must be an adult.
• You must be at least 25 years old.
• You must have enough money.
  So that you can take good care of the child.
• You need to have enough time to raise the child.
• You need to be healthy.
  A certificate from your doctor is usually sufficient for this.
• You must not have committed any criminal offenses.
  This is checked with a certificate of good conduct.

If you want to adopt a child as a couple:

• You should have been living together for several years.
• You must not undergo any medical treatment during the adoption in order to have a child yourself.

If you are married:

• You can only adopt a child together.
• One person must be at least 25 years old.
• The other person must be at least 21 years old.

The adoption center helps with adoptions of:

• related children
• stepchildren
• foreign children

Adoption takes a long time.

During the whole time, the adoption center accompanies you.

For example:

• You have discussions with a specialist.
• There are home visits.
• You take part in a preparation course.

You will also receive advice and support after the adoption.

The adoption agency will check
whether you can take good care of a child.

For example:

• Are you suitable for adoption?
• Can you take responsibility for a child?
• Do you have enough space to live in?
• Do you have enough money to live on?
• Have you taken part in a preparation course?
• Have you submitted all the documents?

The adoption agency says:
You are suitable for adoption.

You can then submit an adoption application.

Only then can the adoption agency place a child.

The adoption agency decides:
Which child suits which parents?

Important:
The child should be able to develop well with the adoptive parents.

You will need documents for the application.

For example:

• Your birth certificate
  
• Your life record
  A life record is a text.
  
  The text says:
  This is what you have done in your life.
  
• Police conduct certificate
  This is a document.
  It shows whether a person has committed criminal offenses.
  
  If someone has not committed any criminal offenses,
  the conduct certificate states:
  No entries.
  
  This is how it is checked:
  Is the person reliable?

• Are you married?
  Then you need a marriage certificate.
  
• Do you live in a registered civil partnership?
  Then you need a life partner partnership certificate.
  
• An Application for Adoption
  
• A completed Adoption Application Questionnaire
  
• Proof of various things:
  For example:
  • What nationality are you?
  • How much money do you earn?
  • Do you have any debts?

The adoption office will tell you which documents are required.

The adoption center will help you with the adoption.

This help does not cost any money.

But there are other costs.

For example, for:

• Notarizations
• Guidance certificates
• Medical certificates
• Notary fees
• Preparation courses

.

You can go to various offices.

For example:

• Youth welfare office
• Adoption office of the Catholic Church
• Adoption office of the Protestant Church
• Adoption office of another institution

Don't know where the nearest youth welfare office or adoption office is?

Look on the website of your city.

Or search the Internet for:

• "Youth welfare office + name of your city"
• "Adoption center + name of your city"