Parental Authority and Family Law after International Adoption in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, international adoption grants full parental authority, equal to national adoptions, with attention to local procedures at the Amsterdam District Court and specific rules for the exercise of authority and inheritance law in a multicultural city like the capital.
Transfer of Authority
Adoption terminates biological ties; adoptive parents obtain exclusive authority (Dutch Civil Code Book 1, art. 1:228). In joint adoptions, similar authority applies. In Amsterdam, the Amsterdam District Court (Amsterdam location) handles these cases efficiently, with priority for the child's best interests in diverse communities.
Inheritance Law Consequences
- Child ranks as biological offspring under Dutch inheritance law.
- Automatic succession without additional formalities.
- Testamentary exemption not required, not even with Amsterdam notaries.
Specific Rules in the Amsterdam Context
- Name Choice: Combination of surnames possible via the Amsterdam municipality; popular choice in cosmopolitan families.
- Residence Rights: Immediate EU citizenship and registration in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at the Amsterdam civil registry.
- Parents' Divorce: Standard authority arrangement via the Amsterdam family court, with mediation options via local agencies such as the Amsterdam Legal Desk.
Dispute Resolution
The Amsterdam District Court decides in conflicts; the Hague Adoption Convention ensures cross-border recognition. In rare dissolutions, the child does not automatically return to the country of origin. Local practice: in Amsterdam, 92% of adoption cases lead to stable authority, with family courts handling approximately 25 cases annually, often with input from Safe at Home Amsterdam.