Adoption
You would like to adopt and are looking for information on the steps to take?
The procedures: a process in several steps leading up to the adoption decision
This initial contact is absolutely necessary in order to understand what can or cannot be done according to your personal situation and your project.
The SASLP is mandated to conduct an investigation to evaluate your abilities and your fostering conditions. It is also responsible for granting you an approval and an authorization to foster, which are essential for the placement of the child in your home.
Step 2: placement of the child for adoption
Once the approval and the authorization are delivered, you can welcome the child during a ''probationary'' period. The Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant appoints a welfare agent for the benefit of the child. This person is responsible, for at least 1 year, for:
- Acting on behalf of the child to be adopted in the adoption process
- Conducting the social investigation within your family
- Preparing a report of the investigation which will be transmitted to the Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant
Step 3: consent of the Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant
At the end of this period of at least one year, the Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant rules on its consent to the adoption.
Step 4: pronouncement of the adoption by the service état civil et légalisations
Contact details
Service état civil et légalisations
Route de Chancy 88
1213 Onex
Questions/answers
An application for adoption may not be upheld until all material circumstances have been thoroughly investigated, in consultation with the relevant specialists if necessary.
In particular, the investigation looks into the character and health of the persons wishing to adopt and the child, their mutual relationship, their suitability as parents, their financial situation, motives and family circumstances and the history of the child care relationship.
The adoption of a minor child requires the consent of the child's mother and father.
This consent shall be declared, in writing or orally, to the child protection authority of the parent's or the child's residence or place of stay. It must be recorded in the minutes.
The consent of one of the parents may be disregarded if he/she is unknown, has been absent for a long time, has no known residence or is permanently incapable of judgement.
Yes, you can give him/her a new first name if there are good reasons for doing so. Prior to this, the child is heard in person by the competent authority or by a third party appointed for this purpose, unless this is inadvisable due to the child's age or for other good cause.
If the child is at least 12 years of age, a change of first name requires his/her consent.
In some cases, the competent authority may authorise an adult to be adopted to continue using his/her family name, if there are good reasons for doing so.
The child to be adopted is heard in person by the competent authority or by a third party appointed for this purpose, unless this is inadvisable due to the child's age or for other good causes.
