Adopting a Child

When you adopt a child, you assume responsibility for the child’s care and upbringing from the biological parents. You and the child therefore become legally related to each other. 

To apply for adoption, you must file a petition with the court. You are required to hire an attorney.

How does it work?

If you want to adopt a child, there’s a lot to consider. You can read more about this on the Dutch government’s websiteat . 

On the Rechtspraak website,, you can find more information about the procedure, the costs, and how long it might take.

What should I do?

Every adoption is different. The steps you need to take through the court, with the municipality, and with other organizations depend on your specific situation. You can find a helpful overview of all the requirements on the Dutch government’s website at .

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