Requirements for international adoption in Andalusia

In order to carry out an international adoption in Andalusia, it is important to know both the requirements of the child and the adoptive parents, as well as to think about some key factors before starting the process.

In this article, we will discuss them in detail and explain the adoption process and the regulations that govern it at international, state and regional level.

Intercountry adoption in Andalusia: requirements for the child

First of all, we must take into account the adoptability situation of the child:

• You must be habitually resident abroad.
• They must be adoptable, i.e. their parents and the state of origin must allow their adoption; their parents must be unknown or deceased (abandonment or orphanhood) or they must be in a situation of deprivation of parental authority.

Intercountry adoption in Andalusia: requirements for adopters

Intercountry adoption can be offered to married couples, domestic partners or individuals, over 25 years old -In the case of couples, it is sufficient that one of the partners fulfils this requirement.

Other aspects to take into account when carrying out an international adaptation in Spain are as follows:

• The person adopting must be at least 14 years older than the adoptee and the age difference between them may not exceed 40 years, although this may vary according to the legislation of each country.
• The person who adopts must meet certain psychological and economic characteristics and demonstrate this through the Certificate of Suitability where your criminal record, medical certificate, income and marriage certificate (if applicable) will be shown.
• In the case of couples, they must have lived together for at least 2 years.

Recommendations for starting the intercountry adoption process

Before initiating the procedure, it is recommended that the following factors be considered:

1. The personal and family history of the child: family breakdown, emotional difficulties, negative experiences, uprooting, etc.
2. Socio-political, economic and health situation in the child's country of origin: these are usually precarious countries and the adoptive family must take risks such as:

• Lack of knowledge of personal, family and health history.

• Highly unstable political situations resulting in legislative changes in adoption processes.

Legislation regulating international adoption in Spain 

According to their scope of application:

• at international level, in the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoptionwhich ensures the protection of minors who suffer adverse social, political and economic circumstances. Also in the regulations of each of the countries of origin.

• at state level, in the Organic Law 1/1996 of 15 January 1996 on the Legal Protection of Minors.the Law 26/2015, of 28 July, on the modification of the Child and Adolescent Protection System.and the Law 54/2007 of 28 December 2007 on International Adoption.

• at regional level, in the regulations of each Autonomous Community, in the case of Andalusia, Law 1/1998 on the Rights and Care of Minorsthe Decree 282/2002, on Fostering and Adoption and the Law 4/2021, of 27 July, on Children and Adolescents of Andalusia..

International adoption process in Andalusia

The Consejería de Inclusión Social, Juventud, Familias e Igualdad de la Junta de Andalucía details the following steps in the adoption process: 

• Attendance at adoption preparation and information sessions.
• Offer for intercountry adoption: apply online through:
• The One-Stop Shop of the Andalusian Regional Government (VEAJA).
• The Electronic Registry of the Andalusian Regional Government next to the offer form for intercountry adoption correctly filled in.

Or in person by submitting the offer form for intercountry adoption at any government registry, preferably at the Territorial Delegation of this Regional Ministry in your province of residence.

• Declaration of suitability for intercountry adoption.
• Resolution of eligibility and choice of country.
• Preparation of the dossier and dispatch to the country.
• Acceptance of the dossier by the country and assignment of a child.
• Stay in the country and judicial or administrative adoption process.
• Arrival of the minor in Andalusia.
• Carrying out the post-adoption follow-up required by the state of origin.

Further information here.

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