Cross-Border Recognition of Adoption Decisions in the EU: Rotterdam Practice
In Rotterdam, as a vibrant port city with diverse international communities, EU legislation simplifies the recognition of adoption decisions between Member States via Brussels II-bis and the Hague Adoption Convention, with specific application at the Rotterdam District Court.
Legal Basis
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Parentage Regulation), directly applicable in Rotterdam adoption proceedings.
- Hague Adoption Convention article 23, relevant for the port city of Rotterdam with many intercontinental adoptions.
- Kingdom Act on recognition and enforcement, enforced by the District Court in Rotterdam.
Automatic Recognition
Adoption decisions from other EU countries are recognised in Rotterdam without special procedure, provided the subsidiarity principle has been complied with. A certificate from the European Judicial Network is mandatory and is locally verified by the Rotterdam family court.
Procedure in Case of Resistance
- File exequatur application with the Rotterdam District Court, family law division.
- Processing period: maximum 1 month, with priority for the interests of the child.
- Grounds for refusal: violation of public order or fundamental rights, assessed by Rotterdam judges.
Practice Examples in Rotterdam
An adoption from Poland recognised in Rotterdam: direct automatic recognition without delay. For non-EU adoptions via the Hague Convention, often handled at the Rotterdam court due to the multicultural population. Annually more than 50 EU adoption recognitions in the Rotterdam region, with emphasis on rapid integration of children into local schools and neighbourhoods such as Charlois or Feijenoord.
Advantages in Rotterdam context: Accelerated family reunification, support via local youth care and integration programmes for adopted children.