Everything You Need To Know About Adoption

Adopt A Child – Realize Your Wish To Have A Child

You would like to realize your wish to have a child and are thinking about adopting a child? Do you still have questions about adoption? Then you are at the right place!

Adoption

The focus of every adoption is the well-being of the child. This means that suitable adoptive parents are sought for each child if the child can no longer live with his or her birth parents for various reasons. A change of family is often difficult, especially for older children. It is all the more important to be able to give security and a lot of attention. In adoption, no consideration is given to biological ancestry.

As a rule, the relationship between the child and its biological parents is extinguished. This is the most fundamental difference to foster care.

Whether adoption is right for you and you meet the requirements, you can find out here!

Statistical Data

In the years 1994 to 2009, the number of adoptions was rather declining in Germany. In 2008, 2950 children from Germany were adopted and 1137 children from abroad.
In 2011 the number stabilized with 4060 adoptions.
In 2012 the numbers decreased again with 3886 adoptions.

In 2009, as many children were adopted from abroad in the United States as in the entire world combined. This is due in particular to the differences in legal regulations.

Legal Basis Of An Adoption

As a rule, the consent of both birth parents must be present to place a child for adoption. In some serious cases, this consent can also be waived. From the child’s 14th birthday, he or she must also consent to the adoption himself or herself. But even in the case of children under the age of 14, the will, or rather the wish of the child must be taken into account in order to comply with the best interests of the child.

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As soon as both of the child’s natural parents have agreed, the Youth Welfare Office initially becomes the child’s guardian, and the natural parents no longer have custody of their child.

Once the adoption is final, there is usually no longer a relationship between the child and the birth family. The adoptive parents are now the legal parents and the adopted child has the status of the natural child. It is also related to the complete family.

Reversing an adoption is only possible under very strict legal conditions.

Right To A Midwife For Adoptive Parents

Mothers of adopted babies also have the right to care from a midwife. You should obtain cost coverage beforehand, as health insurance companies vary in the extent of the entitlement. The midwife will be billed by the health insurance company with which your child is insured. However, if you are privately insured, the benefits may be different.

Who Arranges Adoptions In Germany?

If you want to adopt a child, you should contact the adoption agencies of the youth welfare offices or recognized adoption agencies of independent denominational organizations. In Germany, only these specific offices are allowed to mediate adoptions.

Who Mediates An Adoption Abroad?

If you want to adopt a child from abroad, you should contact the following institutions:
Central Adoption Offices of the State Youth Welfare Offices, Youth Welfare Offices with special approval or the placement offices of independent agencies approved for international adoption.
The central adoption offices of the state youth welfare offices issue licenses to local youth welfare offices for the placement of intercountry adoptions, they arrange adoptions from abroad, advise and support local youth welfare offices.

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It is an important point of contact for interested parties.

Different Forms Of Adoption

There are many different types of adoption in Germany. Usually, they are distinguished between minors and adult adopted children. But there are also differences between a foreign and a related child.

Stranger Adoption

Also known as “full adoption.” In this adoption, all legal relations with the family of origin cease to exist. There is therefore no longer a relationship between the child and the birth family. The birth parents have neither rights nor obligations towards the child.

Semi-Open Adoption

In this form of adoption, there is no direct contact between the birth family and the adoptive family. However, development reports and pictures are provided by the adoption agencies so that the birth parents can share in the child’s development.

Open Adoption

An Open Adoption means that the birth family and adoptive family get to know each other and there are regular meetings between the families and the child. In this way, the birth parents can see their child grow up and the child can more easily get to know his or her roots and origins.

Adoption Of A Child Born In Confidence

In this type of adoption, the adoptive family and the birth family usually do not get to know each other. The adoptive family does not know the name or place of residence of the birth family. However, after the adoption decree, the birth mother may release her identity and contact with the child and the adoptive family may be agreed to.

Stepchild Adoption

Stepchild adoption is the most common adoption in Germany. In this adoption, one spouse adopts the biological child of the other spouse.

Relative Adoption

In this case, a related child, such as a nephew or niece, is adopted. This goes up to a relationship up to the third degree. However, the relationship between the adoptive parents and the adopted child remains, only the relationship between the natural parents and the child ceases to exist.

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Adult Adoption

In this type of adoption, a person of full age is adopted. In this case, a parent-child relationship should have already been established. Mostly the adoption of adults is about inheritance rights.

Difference Between A Foster Child And An Adopted Child

Foster children remain legally the children of their biological parents. The custody arrangement is different. The volunteer guardian or the guardian from the youth welfare office can take over full custody, but in some areas, custody can remain with the birth parents. However, foster parents can also take custody of the foster child. Foster parents receive the maintenance necessary for care, education, and material expenses for the child.

Unlike foster children, adopted children are also legally part of the adoptive family. Thus, they are no longer related to their biological family. The adoptive parents have custody and support of the child. In the case of adoption, the child receives the family name of the adoptive family and German citizenship if one of the two parents has German nationality and the child has foreign nationality.

Adopted Children Receive A New Birth Certificate

When a child is adopted, a new birth certificate is issued at the registry office. This new birth certificate does not indicate that the child is adopted.

Name Change For Adopted Children

Normally, the child receives the surname of the adoptive parents upon adoption. The first name can only be changed by the family court if a request is made with the consent of the child from the 14th birthday or the legal representative.

Consider changing the name of your adopted child, as it is part of the child’s identity and is usually the only link to the family of origin.
A change makes sense if the name is too difficult to pronounce, its meaning burdens the child or the name could cause difficulties in the child’s new environment.

What Costs Will I Have To Pay?

An adoption in Germany is free of charge, but there are costs for certifications, notaries or certificates of good conduct. An adoption abroad is subject to costs. These costs depend on the country and the corresponding regulations from which the child originates.

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Support & Financial

When you adopt a child, you can also claim government assistance. This means you can apply for parental allowance or child benefits.

Parental Benefit

Parental allowance is a benefit for parents of infants and young children. It is intended to enable the relationship and care of your child. This also applies to adopted children or children taken into the household with the aim of adoption (adoption care).

You are entitled to a parental allowance from the day you take your adopted child into your household.

Child Benefit

Child benefit ensures the basic care of your child from birth and at least until the child’s 18th birthday.
You can get child benefit for your adopted child if he or she lives and is registered in a country of the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
The child benefit is independent of the nationality of your children.

You are always entitled to child benefits with an adopted child.

Parental Leave

As an adoptive parent, you can also take parental leave of up to three years. This is possible even if the adoption proceedings are ongoing.
You are entitled to a parental allowance from the day you take up residence in the child’s household. This means from the beginning of the so-called adoption care.

The entitlement to your parental leave ends at the latest on the 8th birthday of your adopted child
In case of adoption abroad, the entitlement to parental leave also starts as soon as the child is taken in. If you travel to the country of origin, this does not count as taking the child into your family!

If you are not sure whether adoption is right for you, have a look here!

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