Family and stepchild adoption

When you have a family relationship or a qualified connection to the child, it may in some cases be possible to waive certain requirements for adoptive parents. You can read more about family adoption and stepchild adoption below.

FAMILY ADOPTION

If you have a family relationship with the child you wish to adopt, a so-called family adoption may be granted. A family adoption may also be possible if you have another qualified connection to the child, for example if the child is your foster child.

A family adoption has the same legal effects as a standard adoption. This means that the child no longer has a legal relationship with the biological parents, and the adoptive parents will thereafter be the child’s parents in all legal aspects.

In family adoption cases, there is no requirement that the person wishing to adopt must be approved as an adoptive parent. The requirements are therefore less extensive than in adoption by non-relatives, although several conditions must still be met.

The applicable conditions depend on several factors, including your connection to the child, whether the child is under or over 18 years of age, and the child’s age. As a general rule, the child’s parents must consent to the adoption.

We can guide you through the process and assist with preparing and submitting the application, as well as representing you before the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset).

STEPCHILD ADOPTION

If you have a spouse or cohabiting partner who has a child from a previous relationship, you may in some cases have the opportunity to adopt the child.

As with family adoption, it is not required to be approved as an adoptive parent in order to adopt your spouse’s or partner’s child. It is possible to adopt both children under and over the age of 18.

As a general rule, you must be at least 25 years old and at least 14 years older than the child in order to adopt. In addition, you must generally have lived with the child for more than 2½ years and have had a stable cohabitation. If the child is under 18, the child’s parents must also, as a general rule, consent to the adoption.

The requirements differ depending on whether the child is under or over 18 years old. In some cases, certain requirements may be waived, and other factors may also affect the possibility of adoption, including the child’s age or whether the child has siblings.

At KROMANN Law Firm, we can advise you on the adoption process from start to finish. We can assist with preparing the application for stepchild adoption and handle correspondence with the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset).

Contact KROMANN Law Firm today if you need guidance regarding your stepchild adoption. We can be reached on tel. 8618 1102 or by email kontakt@advokatkromann.dk.

APPEALS AGAINST ADOPTION DECISIONS

When the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) makes a decision on stepchild or family adoption, the decision can be appealed to the Danish Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen). KROMANN Law Firm can assist you with preparing the appeal and represent you during the case before the Appeals Board.

If you wish to appeal a decision made by the Agency of Family Law, it is important to act quickly, as there is usually a strict deadline. Therefore, contact KROMANN Law Firm today on tel. +45 8618 1102 or by email kontakt@advokatkromann.dk so we can guide you toward the best solution for your specific situation.