Germany

O’Halloran, Kerry

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-65588-4_14

Kerry O’Halloran²⁶

Part of the book series: Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice ((IUSGENT,volume 86))

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Abstract

The Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), a civil law jurisdiction with a population of some 81.5 million,¹ is the most populous member state in the European Union. Re-unified in 1990, its 16 partly autonomous states (Länder), each with a degree of independent legislature on specific matters, are legally bound by a federal Constitution and by the rulings of its Constitutional Court. Family law , including provisions governing adoption, is to be found in the Civil Code which incorporates adoption specific legislation and related amendments.

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Notes

1.
See, German Federal Statistic Office: https://www.destatis.de/.
2.
See, ‘Overview of German Adoption Law’, at: http://www.adoptionpolicy.org/pdf/eu-germany.pdf.
3.
See, Frank, R., ‘Germany’, in International Social Services , Internal and Intercountry Adoption Laws, Kluwer Law International, The Hague, 1996 pp. 1–50.
4.
For a brief historical overview see, for example, Bosch, Entwicklungen und Probleme des Adoptionsrechts in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Zeitschrift fur das gesamte Familienerecht,1984.
5.
See, further, the Federal Statistics Office of Germany.
6.
See, https://www.destatis.de/.
7.
See, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2011/tables/11s1335.pdf.
8.
See, further, at: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/29/uk-family-breakdown-rate-_n_2379845.html?view=print.
9.
Ibid.
10.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 25 February 2014, op cit at para 31.
11.
See, U.N. Dept of Economic and Social Affairs, World Abortion Policies 2013, at: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/policy/world-abortion-policies-2013.shtml.
12.
The population is in negative growth as birth rates range from about 8.7 births per 1000 people to about 9.8 while the death rates range from about 11.6 deaths per 1000 people to about 15.8.
13.
See, further, Robertson, J.A., ‘Reproductive Technology in Germany and the United States: An Essay in Comparative Law and Bioethics’, Columbia Journl of Transnational Law, 2004, pp. 189–227.
14.
Ibid., at p. 192.
15.
Civil Code, s 1591.
16.
See, decision of the Administrative Court of Berlin, September 10, 2012, at: http://www.ukrainiansurrogates.com/surrogacy-ban-in-germany.
17.
See, Schweppe, K. , ‘Child Protection in Europe: Different Systems – Common Challenges’, German Law Journal.
18.
The Civil Code, s 1666a.
19.
See, Inobhutnahme, s 42 Social Code VIII.
20.
The Civil Code, s 1666. This provides that, where the physical, mental or emotional welfare of a child is placed at risk by neglect or mistreatment of the child or because parents otherwise fail to comply with their parental duties, the Family Court shall order the measures necessary to protect the child when voluntary measures have been insufficient to protect the child’s welfare.
21.
The Civil Code, s 1773.
22.
The Civil Code, s 1791a and 1791b.
23.
Bach, R., Von Kindeswohl und Kinderwunsch, Bad Boll 2011However, see Botthof, A., Die Annahme als Kind als Alternative zur Dauerfplege, FamRZ (Zeitschrift für das gesamte Familienrecht) 2016, pp. 768–773. Also, see, further, at: https://www.dji.de/ueber-uns/projekte/projekte/expertise-und-forschungszentrum-adoption-efza.html.
24.
See, further, at f/n 14.
25.
See, Wolf, K. , ‘Promoting the positive development of foster children: Establishing research in Germany’, Adoption & Fostering , Vol 36, Issue 1, 2012, pp. 40–51, at p. 41.
26.
See, White, K.J., ‘The Ideology of Residential Care and Fostering: Re-framing Children’s Services’, NCVCCO Annual Review Journal No. 3, 2002 at pp. 231–242.
27.
See, ‘Foster Care Research in Germany: A Critical Review’, at: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Foster+care+research+in+Germany%3a+a+critical+review.-a0202649731.
28.
See, Abschlussbericht des Runden Tisches “Heimerziehung in den 50er und 60er Jahren” at: http://www.rundertisch-heimerziehung.de/documents/Abschlussbericht_rth-1.pdf.
29.
See, Walter and Blandow, 2004.
30.
Civil Code, s 1743.
31.
See, further, at: http://www.hcch.net/upload/adostats_za.pdf.
32.
See, Linder, 1987.
33.
See, further, at: https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/SocietyState/SocialStatistics/SocialBenefits/PublicChildrenYouthWelfare/Adoptions.html.
34.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/583860/EPRS_BRI(2016)583860_EN.pdf.
35.
See, further, at: https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/SocietyState/SocialStatistics/SocialBenefits/PublicChildrenYouthWelfare/Adoptions.html.
36.
Author acknowledges with thanks the advice of Nina Dethloff on this matter (note to author, 9.10.2014). See, further, at: https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/SocietyState/SocialStatistics/SocialBenefits/PublicChildrenYouthWelfare/Adoptions.html.
37.
See, further, at: http://www.dw.de/new-child-protection-law-aims-to-strengthen-families-rather-than-divide-them/a-6329547.
38.
The Social Code VIII, s 36, para 1.
39.
See, for example, Nichol, B., The Hunt for Lost Blood: Nazi Germanization Policy in Occupied Europe, Doctoral thesis, University of Tennessee (2016), at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5190&context=utk_graddiss.
40.
See, Textor, M.R., ‘International Adoption in West Germany: A Private Affair’, in Alstein, H. and Simon, R. (eds), Intercountry Adoption: A Multinational Perspective, Greenwood Publishing Group‬, 1991, at p. 109.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
41.
Ibid., at p. 111.
42.
See, Annual Adoption Statistics for Receiving States: Germany, 2005, at: http://www.hcch.net/upload/adostats_de.pdf.
43.
See, Lammerant, I. and Hofsetter, M. (eds) Adoption: at what cost?, Terre des Hommes , Lausanne, Switzerland, 2007, at p. 23.
44.
Note to author: 15.04.202.
45.
But see, Zaunegger v. Germany (Application no. 22028/04), IHRL 3698 (ECHR 2009).
46.
Author acknowledges advice from Jörg Reinhardt on this matter (note to author: 15.04.202).
47.
Civil Code, s 1741, para 1.
48.
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Concluding observations on the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Germany, 25 February 2014, CRC/C/DEU/CO/3-4, at para 26, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/52f8a2074.html [accessed 19 August 2017].
49.
Civil Code, s 1758.
50.
See, Munchener Kommentar zum Burgerlichen Gesetzburch, Band 8, Familienrecht II, § 1758, No 6.
51.
Adoption Intermediation Act , ss 8a, 8b and 9.
52.
The Procedure in Family Matters Act, 2009, s 1, 111 No.4, 186ff.
53.
The Parentage Law Reform Act 1997, s 1747 1.
54.
See, Frank., R., ‘Germany : Parentage Law Reformed’, in Bainham, A. (ed), The International Survey of Family Law, Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, 1997, pp. 167–182, at p. 167.
55.
Ibid., at p. 168.
56.
The Adoption Intermediation Act , s 2(1) and (2).
57.
See, Lammerant, I. and Hofsetter, M. (eds) Adoption: at what cost?, Terre des Hommes , Lausanne, Switzerland, 2007, at p. 23.
58.
The Adoption Intermediation Act , s 2(2).
59.
Ibid., s 3(2).
60.
The Civil Code, s 1752.
61.
The enlarged Family Court assumed jurisdiction for adoption applications in 2009. Author acknowledges with thanks the advice of Nina Dethloff on this matter (note to author, 9.10.2014).
62.
Personenstandsgesetz, s 15, para 1, No 3.
63.
Ibid., s 45.
64.
The Recommendations concerning adoption procedures etc. 1994 (The Recommendations), No 32.
65.
See, Pregnancy Conflict Act, s 25.
66.
Ibid., s 1600 a.
67.
Ibid., s 1747(3) Nr 3.
68.
(Application no. 22028/04), IHRL 3698 (ECHR 2009).
69.
The Social Code VIII, s 37.
70.
The Civil Code, s 1632.
71.
Ibid., s 1684.
72.
Application No. 11057/02, (2004).
73.
Ibid., at para. 103.
74.
See, Wolf, K. , ‘Promoting the positive development of foster children: Establishing research in Germany’, Adoption & Fostering , Vol 36, Issue 1, 2012, pp. 40–51, at p. 49.
75.
The Civil Code, s 1745.
76.
The Recommendations, No 3.3.
77.
The Adoption Placement Act, s.7.
78.
The Civil Code, s 1743.
79.
Ibid., s 1741(2)(2).
80.
Ibid., s 1741(2)(4).
81.
Ibid., s 1743(2).
82.
The Registered Partnership Act, s 9(6) 1.
83.
The Civil Code, s 1749(2).
84.
Ibid., s 1749(1).
85.
The Recommendations, No 3.43.
86.
The Procedure in Family Matters Act, s 187.
87.
The Social Code, VIII, para 1, s 50.
88.
See, Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, Article 2.
89.
See, AG Hamm, 3 February 2006—XVI 41/05.
90.
Civil Code, s 1742.
91.
Civil Code, s 1766a.
92.
See, further, at: http://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/18/012/1801285.pdf.
93.
The Social Code, VIII, s 51.
94.
The Civil Code, s 1666.
95.
Ibid., s 2(1).
96.
The Recommendations, No 4.
97.
The Civil Code, s 1747, para 3.
98.
Ibid., s 2a(4).
99.
See, further, Reinhardt, J. Reformbedarfe im Recht der Minderjährigenadoption und der Adoptionsvermittlung (2015) and Botthof, A., Perspektiven der Minderjährigenadoption (2014), at pp. 166ff.
100.
Federal Law on the Religious Education of Children (15th July 1921; 12th September 1990).
101.
The Civil Code, s 1744.
102.
The Recommendations, No 4.4.
103.
The Code of Procedure in Non-Contentious Matters, section 49, para 1, No 1 m.
104.
The Civil Code, s 1752(1).
105.
The Civil Code, s 1758.
106.
The Procedure in Family Matters Act, s 26.
107.
Ibid., s 189.
108.
Ibid., s 192.
109.
The Civil Code, s 1747(2) 1.
110.
Ibid., s 1746(1) 1.
111.
Ibid., s 1746(1) 3.
112.
Ibid., s 1746(1) 2.
113.
Ibid., s 1746(2).
114.
Ibid., s 1750(2) 2.
115.
Ibid., s 1750(4) 2.
116.
Ibid., s 1747(4).
117.
Ibid., s 1748(1) 1 and 2.
118.
Ibid., s 1748(2) 1 and the Code of Social Law (Sozialgesetzbuch), Vol VIII, s 51(1).
119.
See, KG Berlin, 4 April 2006—1 W 369/05.
120.
See, AG Hamm, 17 April 2006—XVI 44/05.
121.
See, Federal Supreme Court judgment of 10 December 2014, XII ZB 463/13.
122.
See, Mennesson and Others v France and Labassee v France, Application Nos. 65192/11 and 65941/11, 2014.
123.
The Guidelines, No 3.316.
124.
The Procedure in Family Matters Act, s 158.
125.
The Civil Code, s 1796.
126.
Ibid., s 1744.
127.
Effects of Foreign Adoptions Act (Adoptionswirkungsgesetz), s 5.
128.
Effects of Foreign Adoptions Act (Adoptionswirkungsgesetz), s 3.
129.
Application No. 31021/08, (2014).
130.
The Civil Code, s 1754.
131.
Ibid., s 1757.
132.
Note, however, that s 1766 of the Civil Code expressly addresses the legal consequences for the adopter and adoptee in the event of their marrying each other: the adoption status (rather than marital status) is then cancelled.
133.
The German Nationality and Citizenship Act 1913, as amended in 1993, s 3, No 3, and s 6.
134.
The Civil Code, ss 1767–1771.
135.
Ibid., s 1772.
136.
Ibid., s 1755.
137.
Ibid., s 1756.
138.
Ibid., s 1759.
139.
Ibid., s 1760(1) and (2).
140.
Ibid., s 1761(2).
141.
Ibid., s 1762(2) 2.
142.
Ibid., s 1762(2) 1.
143.
Ibid., s 1763(1).
144.
Ibid., s 1763(2).
145.
The Federal Constitution, Basic Law, Article 103.
146.
The Civil Code, s 1763(3).
147.
Ibid., s 1764(1).
148.
Ibid., s 1764(2) and (3).
149.
The Recommendations, No 4.4.
150.
The Social Code, VIII, ss 27–41.
151.
Adoption Intermediation Act , ss. 8a, 8b and 9.
152.
The Federal Constitution, Basic Law, Article 2.
153.
Pregnancy Conflict Act, s 31.
154.
Decision of the German Constitutional Court, BVerfGE 79, 256; FamRZ 1989, 255.
155.
The Adoption Intermediation Act , s 9b(2).
156.
Personal Status Act (Personenstandsgesetz), s 61(2) 1.
157.
Ibid., s 15, para 1, No 3, 4.
158.
Ibid., s 63.
159.
Adoption Intermediation Act , s 9b.
160.
Adoption Intermediation Act , s. 9 (2).
161.
Adoption Intermediation Act 1976 , s 9.
162.
Note to author (15.04.2020).

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Kerry O’Halloran

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O’Halloran, K. (2021). Germany. In: The Politics of Adoption. Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice, vol 86. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65588-4_14

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65588-4_14
Published: 21 March 2021
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