Eignungsfeststellung von Adoptionsbewerber:innen für eine internationale Adoption (allgemein) Festlegung

Would you like to adopt a child from abroad? Then you must first qualify as adoptive parents.

Adoption abroad is divided into 2 aptitude tests: The general aptitude test at the local adoption agency and the country-specific aptitude test at an independent foreign adoption agency or the central adoption office of the state youth welfare office.

The general suitability test checks the suitability of the potential adoptive parents. This involves, for example, the reasons for the adoption, the stability of the partnership or health aspects.

If you wish to adopt a child, you must have unlimited legal capacity under German law and be at least 25 years old. If you are married, at least one of the two spouses must be 25 years old, whereby the younger spouse must be at least 21 years old. There is no legal maximum age for adoptive parents. According to the Federal Working Group of the State Youth Welfare Offices, the age difference to the adoptive child should correspond to a natural distance.

Normally, a married couple - regardless of gender - can only adopt a child together. Whether an international adoption by same-sex couples is possible depends largely on the legal situation in the adoptive child's country of origin. However, single people can also adopt a child.

They must be suitable for adoption.

You register with a placement agency for intercountry adoptions. This can either be the central adoption office of the state youth welfare office or a non-governmental placement office that is licensed for foreign adoptions. You will receive initial advice from the specialists.

All relevant topics relating to the adoption will be discussed in personal meetings.

This process can take several months. An adoption is only possible after a suitability assessment by the youth welfare office.

However, this is no guarantee that an adoption placement will actually take place.