When a child is adopted, both the parents and the child in question must give their consent.

This applies to an adoption:

• into a new family, i.e., adoption by unrelated parents, or

• by a stepparent, i.e., stepchild adoption.

For children under the age of 14, their legal guardian gives consent. Starting on their 14th birthday, you, as the child involved, must give your own consent to the adoption. In addition, your legal guardian must also give consent.

You may revoke this consent once you turn 14, as long as the court has not yet ruled on the adoption.

This is also possible if your legal representative has consented to the adoption or if you turned 14 only after your legal representative gave their consent. You can revoke your consent on your own and do not need permission or a reason to do so.

You can have your revocation certified by the Youth Welfare Office or at a notary’s office. The revocation must be filed with the family court.