Recognition of a foreign adoption in Denmark

If you live or have lived abroad and have adopted a child in accordance with the rules of the country in which you live or lived, the National Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen) is the authority in Denmark that can recognise the adoption under Danish law.

The National Social Appeals Board is responsible for adoption matters and therefore, as the competent authority, handles cases concerning the recognition of foreign adoptions. The National Social Appeals Board can issue an opinion on whether the adoption meets the conditions for recognition under Danish law.

Recognition means that a foreign adoption decision can be approved, so that the adoption has legal effect in Denmark.

The final assessment of the question of recognition of a foreign adoption falls within the jurisdiction of the courts.

A foreign adoption may be recognised in Denmark if the following conditions are met:

  • You had a permanent residence and lasting connection (domicile) in the country in question at the time of application/adoption.
  • The adoption has legal effects corresponding to those of a Danish adoption.
  • The adoption is not manifestly incompatible with fundamental Danish principles of adoption. 

In order for the National Social Appeals Board to process your case regarding the recognition of an adoption, you (and your spouse or partner, if applicable) must answer the questions regarding domicile below.

You must answer the questions based on your current situation.

If you are the only one applying to adopt (e.g. your spouse’s or partner’s child), only you need to answer the questions.

If you and your partner wish to adopt together, you must both answer the questions regarding domicile.

Questions regarding residence

  • When did you move abroad?
  • Have you lived abroad since then? (please elaborate if you have lived in several countries)
  • What is the reason for your stay abroad? (please elaborate)
  • What is your/your relationship to work abroad and in Denmark? (please elaborate, including whether this involves secondments or local employment abroad)
  • How long is your residence and work permit valid for abroad, and how long have you held it?
  • Do you own property abroad and/or in Denmark?
  • Have you rented accommodation abroad and/or in Denmark? If so, in which country and for what period?
  • Are you liable for tax abroad and/or in Denmark? (please elaborate)
  • How often and for how long do you spend your holidays in Denmark?
  • Do you have plans to return to Denmark – and if so, when? (please elaborate)

If you wish to have the National Social Appeals Board prepare a statement regarding the recognition of an adoption from abroad, you can complete this form: 

Fill in the form here

You must send the original adoption documents and the child’s original birth certificate, or certified copies of these documents. Only the issuing authority can certify a copy.

The documents must be translated into Danish or English, and the translation must be certified. However, this does not apply to documents written in one of the Nordic languages. Documents issued in certain countries must also be legalised.

The above documents only become relevant, however, if the National Social Appeals Board assesses that the residence requirement has been met. For this reason, some applicants wait to submit the original documents until the National Social Appeals Board requests them.

If you have not already received a residence assessment from the National Social Appeals Board, you must also answer the 10 questions regarding residence listed above. You must also state where and when you applied for adoption abroad (specify country, authority and date).

Once the adoption has been recognised under Danish law, you may apply for Danish citizenship for the child. Applications for citizenship must be sent to the Citizenship Office at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

You can find answers to questions about citizenship at nyidanmark.dk or contact the Citizenship Office at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

Glossary

Certified copy

A certified copy (or a transcript of the original document) is equivalent to an original document when the transcript or copy is issued by the authority that issued the original document.

Translations

A translation must be certified by a public authority in the country concerned or by a qualified translator or similar in Denmark.

Legalised documents

Legalisation is a confirmation of the signature on the document. Only originals or documents with an original signature can be legalised. 

See more in this guide (in Danish)