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Adoption and foster care
Sometimes a child’s biological parents are not in a position to look after the child. Children in this situation can be cared for by other families on a permanent or temporary basis. How does adoption work and who can provide advice if you would like to foster a child?
Services:
Adopt a foreign child
You want to adopt a child? The adoption center advises you and accompanies you through the next steps. Here you can learn more about the process.
Adopt a related child
Do you want to adopt a related child? The adoption office will advise and guide you through the next steps. You can find out more about the process here.
Adopt a stepchild
Do you want to adopt your stepchild? The adoption office will advise and guide you through the next steps. Find out more about the process here.
Adoption of a child after placement by the youth welfare office
Adoption as a child (adoption) is pronounced by the family court at the request of the adopting party.
Adoption of a foreign child, conversion of a weak adoption into a strong adoption
A so-called weak adoption of a child made abroad can be converted into a so-called strong adoption by order of the family court.
Apply as a foster parent, aptitude test
You would like to take in a foster child? Then you must first qualify as a foster parent.
Apply for a subsidy for old-age provision as a carer
Carers can receive a subsidy towards their pension provision
Apply for adoption of an adult
If you want to adopt a person who is of age, you and the person to be adopted can apply for this at the family court.
Apply for assumption of accident insurance as a foster parent
The benefits in full-time care also include the reimbursement of proven reasonable expenses for contributions to accident insurance, if no statutory accident insurance is provided.
Apply for co-payments and/or co-payments of health care assistance for foster child/ren
If a foster child's health insurance coverage is not sufficient for necessary measures, the youth welfare office may be able to cover necessary co-payments or personal contributions. As a rule, however, such costs are already covered by the monthly lump sums.
Apply for monthly foster child support benefits
In the case of full-time care benefits, the necessary maintenance of the minor and young adult is ensured by ongoing benefits. The necessary maintenance includes the costs for material expenses and for care and education.
Apply for voluntary health insurance contributions for foster child/ren
If family insurance is not possible for a foster child and there is also no compulsory insurance, the youth welfare office can pay reasonable contributions for voluntary health insurance.
Applying for aftercare after the end of full-time care for foster children
When full-time care ends, the foster child can continue to be supported as a young adult.
Check suitability as adoptive parents for domestic adoption
You would like to adopt a child from within Germany? Then you must first qualify as adoptive parents.
Check suitability as adoptive parents for intercountry adoption (country-specific)
You would like to adopt a child from abroad? Then you must qualify as an adoptive parent in addition to the general examination for the respective country.
Checking suitability as adoptive parents for an international adoption (general)
Would you like to adopt a child from abroad? Then you must first qualify as adoptive parents.
Continuation of placement / assistance for young adults as foster children, accompaniment
If it is important for their development, young adults can also receive help with upbringing after their 18th birthday and be placed in full-time care.
General full-time care for foster children, accompaniment
Are you a foster carer of a child in full-time care? Then you will receive professional support and advice from the foster child service.
Get support in enforcing the permanent placement of a child with foster carers
The foster children's service can support the foster parents if a child is to live permanently in a foster family because the conditions in the family of origin are not improving in the long term.
Guardianship: appointing a supplementary guardian
Under certain circumstances, a supplemental guardian may be appointed in addition to the parents' custody of a child or youth.
Obtain access to the adoption file
As an adopted person, you can inspect the files relating to the placement of your adoption yourself from your 16th birthday. Unless the interests of other parties concerned - such as those of your biological parents - conflict with or outweigh this right of access.
One-time benefits when a foster child is admitted
When a foster child is admitted, one-time lump-sum allowances are approved and transferred with the first foster care payment.
Parental responsibility for minor children
Here you will find information on your rights and obligations regarding birth, child maintenance obligations in cross-border family situations, as well as information on surrogacy and adoption.
Pay fees when adopting abroad
What are the fees involved in adopting a child from abroad?
Remaining of a child with a caregiver
You are a foster carer and the natural parents want to take the child back with them? Then you can apply to the family court for the child to stay with you.
Replace a parent's consent to adoption
If you want to give your child up for adoption, the birth parents and the child must consent. In exceptional cases, the family court can substitute the consent of one parent for the adoption. The responsible youth welfare office must advise and instruct on the procedure.
Request certificate of sole custody
You have sole custody of your child and need a certificate (negative certificate) about it? Find out more here.
Request extension of the certificate of international mediation procedure
The validity of the certificate of international mediation may be extended by 1 year upon request.
Suggest appointment as guardian
Would you like to take over the guardianship of a child on a voluntary basis? Then you can apply to the relevant family court.
Temporary full-time care for foster children, support
Are you the foster carer of a child in full-time care? Then you will receive professional support and advice from the Foster Children's Service.
Therapeutic full-time care for foster children
Children and adolescents in curative full-time care have special needs. This requires close and intensive counseling of those involved in the foster care relationship. The child care service supports and accompanies foster carers and children with comprehensive services.