Procedure descriptions
Adoption – applying to become adoptive parents
If you wish to adopt a child, you must apply to an adoption agency.
Responsible authority
Adoption agencies run by youth welfare offices and independent organisations
The following privately run agencies are recognised adoption agencies in Baden-Württemberg:
Details
Prerequisite
- 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
Contact
Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
eMail buergeramt@heidenheim.de
Telefon (0 73 21) 3 27-33 42
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32