Adopting a child from abroad

If you don’t have permission

If you don’t have permission, you cannot begin a new adoption application. International adoptions have been suspended due to a number of irregularities. It is not yet known when international adoptions will once again be possible.

Find out more about the suspension of international adoptions

If you have permission

If you have already submitted an adoption application and received a declaration of approval in principle, you can usually continue with the adoption procedure.

Find out more about the adoption procedure

If you are already further in the adoption procedure, there are many things you will have to arrange. These include applying for a Dutch passport for the child and having foreign documents legalised. What exactly you need to arrange depends on the stage of the procedure you are at.

I am going to collect my child from abroad

• Checklist for travelling outside the Netherlands
• Having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad

I am currently abroad with my child

• Applying for Dutch civil status records from outside the Netherlands
• Applying for a Dutch passport or identity card abroad
• Having foreign documents legalised for use in the Netherlands
• Applying for a long-stay visa (MVV) for the Netherlands
• Applying for a short-stay visa for the Netherlands
• Check the COVID-19 measures that apply when travelling to the Netherlands

I am in the Netherlands with my child

• When do I have to register with a Dutch municipality?
• Converting foreign official documents into Dutch official documents