To support the viability of intercountry adoption as an option for permanency for children in Germany, the Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in Berlin sought information from the German Central Authority regarding its legal requirements for the authorization of adoption service providers (ASP), pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Adoption Convention (Convention).

Germany ratified the Convention on November 22, 2001, and it entered into force on March 1, 2002.

Incoming intercountry adoption from Germany to the United States are rare and generally limited to relative cases or other extraordinary circumstances.  ASPs in need of information about German authorization requirements should contact the German Central Authority directly for information and notify the Office of Children's Issues if assistance with facilitating communication is needed.

ASPs with questions about the information below or about pursuing adoptions in Germany should contact

Bundesamt für Justiz
Bundeszentralstelle für Auslandsadoption
53094 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 228 99 410-5415
Telefax: +49 228 410-5402
Email: auslandsadoption@bfj.bund.de
Website: www.bundesjustizamt.de/auslandsadoption.

For additional information, ASPs may wish to review the Germany country-information page.