Adopting a child from outside the Netherlands
Are you a Dutch national living abroad? In that case, the laws of the country where you live determine whether you can adopt a child. If you live in the Netherlands, you can still start the adoption process for a child from abroad. However, international adoption is being phased out. After 2030, if you live in the Netherlands, you will no longer be able to adopt a child from abroad.
What to arrange for your adopted child?
Did you adopt a child outside of the Netherlands? Then 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.
Attention: Do you want to apply for a Dutch passport for your adopted child? Then the child's name will appear in the passport as indicated in the birth certificate. Do you want your adopted child's name to appear in the passport as indicated in the adoption declaration? Then you must first have the new name added to the birth certificate. Or you must have a new birth certificate drawn up. Check if you also need to translate and legalise the birth certificate.
I am going to collect my child from 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 an MVV visa sticker for the Netherlands
- Applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands