Child adoption in Turkey is a life-changing decision, an emotional and legal process. Also, it is a well-regulated, carefully organized procedure that ensures both the suitability of adoptive parents and the best interests of the child. This article will explain all the details about child adoption in Turkey, including the ways, legal requirements, documents, and legal custody.
Ways of Adopting a Child
You may wonder how to adopt a child from Turkey. Adopting a child can be done in two different ways, which are applying through social services or directly applying to biological parents or legal guardians. That is why people who are thinking of adopting a child can choose the way that is more suitable for them. Both ways of child adoption in Turkey are explained in more detail below.
Applying through Social Services
People who consider child adoption in Turkey should know that the Social Services and Child Protection Agency plays an essential role in the adoption process. Many people apply through Social Services, which is a common and governed way. After stating an interest in adopting a child and submitting the necessary documents, they will check the eligibility of the adopter or the adopters to ensure a suitable and caring environment for a child. Potential adopters may need to attend compulsory adoption orientation sessions and training programs during this process. In addition, they can perform a home study to evaluate your living conditions to prove whether they are for a child.
Direct Applications to Biological Parents or Legal Guardians
Direct applications to legal guardians or biological parents are another option for adopting a child. Contacting biological parents or legal guardians who are thinking about placing their child for adoption is the first step in this process. For this procedure, building mutual trust and understanding is crucial. Potential adoptive parents and biological parents or legal guardians must communicate honestly and openly. The reasons for adoption, the well-being of the child, and the expectations and preferences of both sides should all be discussed.
Legal Requirements For Adopting A Child
There are several general legal rules to be followed when adopting a child, as stated below.
- To be eligible, the adopters must be over 30 years old, and there should be an 18-year age difference between them and the child.
- They must be married for at least five years.
- They must be in good physical and mental health.
- They need to be financially stable, and they must prove it.
If you are considering child adoption in Turkey and want to learn more about the process or the detailed legal requirements, it is advisable to get help from a Turkish lawyer firm. With our qualified, professional, and English-speaking lawyers at Istanbul Lawyer Firm, we are ready to provide you with a legal consultancy in the field of adoption. Our Turkish family lawyers offer a smooth and accurate adoption process within the scope of Turkish family law.
Essential Documents for Child Adoption in Turkey
There are some essential documents for child adoption in Turkey. Such documents are stated below.
- A certified copy of the marriage certificate for married couples
- Valid passports
- National ID cards
- Birth certificates
- Documents to prove a clean criminal record, income, financial stability, good physical and mental health, and residence permit for foreign nationals and Turkish citizens applicants who reside abroad
After collecting the necessary documents, the adopter should submit them to the relevant authorities. For instance, Turkish families living abroad and foreigners in Turkey with residency permits for an extended time can submit their applications and documents to the General Directorate of Social Service and Child Protection Agency to adopt a child from Turkey via a family lawyer in Turkey.
Getting Legal Custody and Court Procedures
Even though child adoption in Turkey is mostly seen as an emotional process, it also brings some legal requirements that need to be taken into account, and obtaining legal custody is a crucial part of the process.
Possible adoptive parents should enlighten themselves with Turkish adoption regulations and Turkish family law before beginning the adoption process. Thus, they can decrease the risk of legal issues that can affect the process badly. Some legal requirements outlined by relevant legal bodies are age limitation, marital status, financial stability, and the ability to raise a child in a suitable environment. You can get legal assistance from our Turkish family lawyers at Istanbul Lawyer Firm.
When prospective adoptive parents complete home study and training successfully, legal custody of the child may be awarded to them. After obtaining legal custody, adoptive parents submit an adoption petition to the Family Court. Then, the Family Court sets up one or more hearings. During these hearings, the court evaluates the best interests of the child and ensures all legal requirements are fulfilled. The court issues a final adoption decree if it finds the adoption application acceptable. With the signing of this legal document, child adoption in Turkey is completed, and the adoptive parents are given full parental rights and obligations.
You can reach our previous article https://istanbullawyerfirm.com/blog/marriage-in-turkey-legal-procedures-for-foreigners