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Non-Convention Adoptions in Rotterdam: Adoption from Countries Outside the Hague Convention

Non-convention adoptions in Rotterdam require verification by the Rotterdam District Court, document checks, and screening for abuse. Higher costs and burdens due to local procedures.

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Non-Convention Adoptions in Rotterdam: Adoption from Countries Outside the Hague Convention

In Rotterdam, a multicultural port city with diverse prospective adoptive parents, stricter national rules apply to adoptions from non-convention countries to optimally protect children's rights. This procedure differs from convention adoptions and requires local verification via Rotterdam authorities.

Legal Basis

  • Act on the Admission of Foreign Children for Adoption (Wobka), arts. 12-15
  • Civil Code Book 1, art. 1:227a
  • Ministerial recognition via the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Youth Protection (RSJ), with local coordination in Rotterdam

Procedure in Rotterdam

  1. Application: Submission to the Rotterdam District Court (Schiedam location) with legalised documents (3-6 months, appointment via rechtbankrotterdam.nl).
  2. Verification: Review by the Central Authority International Adoption (CA) with input from Rotterdam youth care agencies (6-12 months).
  3. Court Decision: Rotterdam judge decides on the adoption, often with a hearing in the city.
  4. Nationalisation: Child acquires Dutch citizenship; registration with the Rotterdam municipality.

Risks and Requirements for Rotterdam Prospective Adoptive Parents

  • No automatic recognition; exequatur via Rotterdam District Court required.
  • Stricter screening for child trafficking, with local checks by Veilig Thuis Rotterdam-Rijnmond.
  • Prospective adoptive parents must have their main place of residence in Rotterdam or the surrounding region.

Cost Indication (Rotterdam-specific)

  • Legal assistance via Rotterdam law firms: €3,500-€7,500
  • Translations/legalisations incl. notary in Rotterdam: €2,500-€5,500
  • Total: €18,000-€38,000, higher due to port-related logistics.

These adoptions often take longer in Rotterdam due to bureaucracy in countries of origin such as certain African or Asian states, plus additional local administration via the municipality and the Rotterdam Child Protection Board.