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IMPORTANT: Select a location.To obtain application forms, location-specific information and contacts, select a town or zip code.

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Your selected location: Twist (497...)

Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Applying for the adoption of a foreign child

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Would you like to adopt a child from abroad? Then you should clarify the recognition of such an adoption in Germany in advance. After the adoption abroad, the foreign birth certificate of your adopted child remains valid. As adoptive parents, you can still apply for an additional certification in the birth register in Germany if the child has acquired German citizenship as a result of the adoption.

Note: If a German court decides on an adoption, it will also carry out the notarization. The same applies if a German family court converts a foreign adoption from a weak to a strong adoption.

You can find detailed information in the procedural description "Adoption of a foreign child - applying for the conversion of a weak adoption into a strong adoption".

Who should I contact?

To tthe local family court at the district court for the decision. Certificates are issued by the local registry office.

Responsible authorities

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Amtsgericht Meppen
Postal address: Post Office Box 1253 , 49702 Meppen
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Address: Obergerichtsstraße 20 , 49716 Meppen
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Telephone: 05931 888-100
Fax: 05931 888-250
www: http://www.amtsgericht-meppen.niedersachsen.de

Requirements

The basic prerequisite for the adoption of a child is that it is in the best interests of the child and that the development of a parent-child relationship can be predicted.

The adoption of a minor is only possible if the child is not yet 18 years old when the adoption is pronounced.

Further requirements are the ability of the adopters to be parents for this child, an appropriate adoption care period and the existence of the declarations of consent of the parties involved.

Applications / forms

Please contact the responsible locallocal family court at the district court for the decision. Certificates are issued by the local registry office.

Which documents are required?

The following documents in particular are required for an adoption procedure:

  • Notarized adoption application
  • Declarations of consent
  • Birth certificate of the child
  • Marriage certificate of the adopters
  • Proof of citizenship of the parties involved
  • Registration certificates of the parties involved
  • Health certificates of the parties involved
  • Police clearance certificates of the adopters
  • Proof of income of the adopters

The family court may request further documents.

Note: You will need foreign documents with over-certification by the competent foreign authority (apostille) or legalization by the German diplomatic mission abroad.

What are the fees?

There are costs for the notarization of the notarial application and the issuing of the documents.

Updating the civil status register at the registry office of the place of residence: free of charge.

Notarization of a birth abroad: subject to a fee

Process flow

You must submit the required documents as notarized declarations to the family court.

  • You can also instruct a notary to submit the documents.
  • If you have children of your own, the court will weigh up whether their overriding interests conflict with the adoption.
  • This could be the case if the following claims would be unreasonably diminished:
    • maintenance claims
    • Inheritance claims
  • Even if the person to be adopted has children themselves, the court will check whether their overriding interests conflict with the adoption. The children of both parties therefore have a right to be heard.

If the requirements for adoption are met, the court will issue an adoption order.

The registry office enters the birth and you as the adoptive parents in the civil register.

Note: The registry office that notarizes the birth of your child born abroad will automatically inform other registry offices.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

The application for the adoption of a minor should be submitted in good time before the child reaches the age of majority.

Processing duration

The processing time depends on the family court.

Legal basis

Appeal

The adoption decision cannot be contested.

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
Access information on the single point of contact for the state of Lower Saxonyvisit Website Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEsVisit advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families