Physical and mental health
Adequate housing
Financial security
Minimum age:
- In the case of married couples, one spouse must be at least 25 years old and the other at least 21 years old. Married couples may only adopt a child jointly.
- In the case of unmarried couples, only one of the two may adopt a child. In this case, the minimum age is 25. It is possible for the other partner to adopt the child as well after the first partner has adopted them (successive adoption).
- Children aged 14 or over must consent to the adoption.

The adopted child should be able to grow up in a stable social environment.

Adoption law does not specify a maximum age for applicants. The age difference between the prospective adoptive parents and the child to be adopted should correspond to a natural age gap.

Procedure

You can find out more without any obligation at a themed evening organised by the adoption agency.

Once you have decided that you wish to adopt a child, you must contact an adoption agency. Following a consultation – or a series of consultations – you will be given a questionnaire.

You should submit the completed questionnaire, together with the required documents, to the adoption agency. In further meetings – at least one of which will take place at your home – the adoption agency will assess your application and the reasons you have given for wanting to adopt. For example, information on whether a child would be a good fit for your family is important in determining your suitability. Such issues and similar topics play a key role. Further questions may relate, for example, to your income, your age and your health.

Following a thorough assessment, the adoption agency will decide whether you are suitable to adopt a child. You will be notified of the outcome of this assessment in writing.

Deadlines

None

Required documents

As a rule:

completed application forms
CVs with photographs
Extracts from the register of births and marriages
Certificates of nationality
Evidence of financial circumstances
Certificates of good conduct
Medical certificates

The adoption agency may request further documents.

Costs

for the suitability assessment for the adoption of a child within Germany: none
For the suitability assessment for the adoption of a child from abroad: depending on the individual case

Costs may arise from applying for the necessary documents from the relevant authorities, for example a certificate of good conduct from the Federal Central Register.

Miscellaneous

Please note: You have no legal right to be matched with a child.

Applications to adopt a child from abroad can only be made

through the central adoption agency of the State Youth Welfare Office or through authorised international adoption agencies (Adoption: Municipal Association for Youth and Social Affairs Baden-Württemberg).

The suitability assessment should be carried out by the Youth Welfare Office responsible for your place of residence.

Legal basis

Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB):

§§ 1741 - 1772 Annahme als Kind

Adoptionsvermittlungsgesetz (AdVermiG)

Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG)

§ 101 Adoptionssachen
§§ 186 - 199 Verfahren in Adoptionssachen

Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuche (EGBGB):

Artikel 22 Annahme als Kind

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg, 22.07.2026