Cross-Border Recognition of Adoption Decisions in the EU: Focus on Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, EU legislation simplifies the recognition of adoption decisions from other Member States via Brussels II-bis and the Hague Adoption Convention, with specific handling by the Amsterdam District Court.
Legal Basis in the Dutch Context
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Parentage Regulation), directly applicable in Amsterdam.
- Hague Adoption Convention article 23 for international cases.
- Kingdom Act on recognition and enforcement, enforced by the district court in Amsterdam.
Automatic Recognition in Amsterdam
Adoption decisions from other EU countries are recognised in Amsterdam without a special procedure, provided that subsidiarity requirements are met. A certificate from the European Judicial Network is mandatory and is locally verified by the adoption department of the Amsterdam District Court.
Procedure in Case of Resistance in Amsterdam
- File exequatur application with the Amsterdam District Court, Family Division.
- Processing period: maximum 1 month.
- Grounds for refusal: violation of public order or fundamental rights, assessed by Amsterdam judges.
Practical Examples in Amsterdam
An adoption from Poland recognised in Amsterdam proceeds directly via automatic recognition. For non-EU adoptions, the Hague Convention applies with additional review by the Amsterdam Child Protection Board. Annually, more than 50 EU adoption recognitions are handled in Amsterdam, often with rapid integration into the city's multicultural society. Local benefits include close cooperation with agencies such as the GGD and youth care, which safeguards mobility and children's rights.
Benefits for Amsterdam families: accelerated legal processing and smooth school enrolment for adopted children.