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In brief
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Duration: Approval: 9 months; complete process: 2–7 years
Cost: National: Free; International: 10 000–30 000 €
On-site only

Who this guide is for

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  • You if you want to adopt a child in France or abroad
  • If you want to understand the difference between plenary adoption and simple adoption
  • You if you already have the approval and look for the suite

To be prepared in advance

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  • Knowledge of the type of adoption targeted (plenary/simple, France/international)
  • Birth certificate of adopters and family composition
  • Last year's tax notice to assess resources

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1Determine the type: full adoption — child <15 years (exceptions for children already accepted), breaks ties with the family of origin, new birth certificate. Simple adoption — any age, adds a filiation, retains biological ties.
  2. 2Get approval for adoption: application to the Departmental Council (Social Assistance for Children). Psychological and social assessments, medical examination. Approval valid for 5 years, issued within 9 months of application.
  3. 3Conditions for adopters: 28 years of age (or spouse for ≥2 years, without age condition), difference ≥15 years with the child (exceptions by the judge). Married or cohabiting couple (≥2 years), single, homosexual couples — accepted.
  4. 4National adoption: after approval — registration on waiting list ASE (Social Assistance for Children) of your department. Expectation of 2–7 years for a young child, shorter for children with special needs (fratries, >6 years, disease).
  5. 5International adoption: recourse to the AFA (French Adoption Agency) or to an OAA (Organisme Authorisé pour l'Adoption). AFA is public, for countries of origin (Vietnam, Colombia, Thailand, etc.). Cost: 10 000–30 000 € (costs, travel, agency expenses).
  6. 6Placement: after agreement ESA/biological parents (or abandonment) and decision of the judge — the child is entrusted to your family. Minimum 6 months of placement before final adoption request.
  7. 7Application to the Tribunal: submission of the application to the court of law. The family judge checks compliance and renders his decision. For full adoption — new birth certificate in town hall; for simple — marginal mention.
  8. 8After adoption: the child gets your rights (succession, name). The CAF accounts for him as a dependent child (allocations, family quotient). For the international case — central authority of the country of origin and then transcription in France.

Common mistakes

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  • To believe that adoption is fast: the process lasts from 2 to 7 years.
  • Plenary and simple: different legal consequences for the child and the relationship with the family of origin.
  • Do not apply for approval — without him, no adoption in France.
  • Adopt abroad without AFA/OAA - illegal, criminal risk (article L225-18 of the Criminal Code).
  • To think that same-sex couples cannot adopt: since 2013 (law Taubira) — this is possible.

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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ESA: child welfareCAF: family allowancesFamily Section

Important remark

Adoption is governed by the Civil Code (articles 343 and s.) and the Hague Convention for International Affairs. Indicative information; for your case, consult an adoption lawyer.

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