Adoption: everything you need to know
In Switzerland, adoption is governed by the Civil Code and the procedure varies depending on whether the adoption concerns a child in Switzerland or abroad.
1. Adopting a child in Switzerland
In order to adopt a child in Switzerland, certain conditions must be met, including :
- be at least 28 years old and at least 16 years older than the child to be adopted;
- be married or have lived together as a couple for at least 3 years;
- have a stable financial and personal situation;
- be able to guarantee the child’s education and harmonious development;
- obtain the child’s consent if he or she is over 14 years old.
The adoption procedure in Switzerland involves finding a child to adopt, preparing an application file and submitting it to a state-recognised adoption service. It is possible to be accompanied by a specialized lawyer or an adoption organization.
2. Adopting a child abroad
To adopt a child abroad, a specific procedure must be followed, depending on the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the child’s country of origin.
It is also compulsory to obtain prior authorisation from the competent cantonal adoption authority and then to follow the adoption procedure in force in the child’s country of origin.
It is recommended to obtain information from the competent authorities in Switzerland (in particular the Youth Protection Service and the General Directorate for Social Cohesion) and to be accompanied by a professional for all the steps relating to adoption in Switzerland or abroad.