International adoptions in Italy
International adoption for foreign citizens residing in Italy represents a possibility for those who, while living far from their Country of origin, wish to offer a home and a family to a child coming from another State.
The process of international adoption requires a significant commitment, as well as the strict observance of laws and regulations both of the country of origin of the adoptee and of the country of the adoptive parents.
For foreign citizens residing in Italy, understanding and correctly following the stages of the international adoption procedure is fundamental to avoid delays or difficulties. In this path, the support of a lawyer competent in international adoptions is essential.
Prerequisites and requirements for international adoption
International adoption for foreign citizens residing in Italy is regulated by complex regulation that combines both Italian law, L. n. 184/1983, modified by L. n. 476/1998, and the provisions of the 1993 Hague Convention on the protection of minors and cooperation on matters of international adoption.
The regulations just recalled impose a series of legal requirements for foreign citizens who intend to adopt.
First of all, it is necessary that the adopting couple stably resides in Italy, even if one or both spouses are foreigners. The prerequisite of stability may require continuous residence of at least two years, except for shorter periods in some specific cases.
As for national adoption, also in such case the couple must have been married for at least three years, or for a shorter number in the case in which the spouses have stably and continuously cohabited before marriage for a period of 3 years and this has been ascertained by the Tribunale per i Minorenni.
Furthermore, the age difference between the adopters and the adoptee must be between 18 and 45 years, with possible derogations in case of serious harm for the minor.
The aforementioned requirements are of particular importance when one of the spouses is a foreign spouse, since they allow the Italian authority to carefully examine the stability of the couple, the economic, affective and relational capacity. For this reason, a further prerequisite to be respected provides for the absence of any personal separation between the spouses, not even de facto, with the family environment playing a fundamental role which must present characteristics of safety and suitability for the upbringing of the child.
The territorial social services therefore conduct an in-depth investigation on the parental potentialities of the couple before presenting it to the competent Tribunale per i Minorenni which will issue the decree of suitability.
The stages for international adoption for citizens residing in Italy
The procedure of international custody begins with the submission, by Boschetti Studio Legale, of the declaration of availability for international adoption to the Tribunale dei minorenni of the place of residence of the couple.
Thanks to the professionalism of its lawyers, the law firm will deal with drafting the petition with the attachment of all the indispensable documents, including the certificate of residence, the act of marriage or the declaration of cohabitation, health certificates and the report of the social services attesting the suitability of the couple.
Having obtained the order of the Judge, Boschetti Studio Legale will assist the couple in the choice of one of the authorised Entities for international adoptions, recognised by the Commissione Adozioni Internazionali (CAI) which will act as intermediary with the country of origin of the minor.
The authorised bodies (Enti Autorizzati) have the task of ensuring respect for foreign regulation, and will collaborate with Boschetti Studio Legale in the management of the bureaucratic practices, in the obtaining of visas and in coordination with the local authorities.
The foreign country of adoption, in turn, will proceed with the selection of the child suitable for adoption, taking into account the criteria established by the 1993 Hague Convention.
Once the minor has been identified, the couple will be called to travel to the Country to meet the child, as well as to complete the legal procedure of adoption provided for on site.
Fundamental, in this phase, the support of your lawyer to ensure that all the legal conditions are respected in order to avoid unpleasant international complications.
Once concluded in its formal phase, the adoption proceeding continues with the welcoming of the child in Italy and with the acquisition of the status of adoptive child.
The authorised Entity will transmit all the documentation, including the order of the foreign judge, to the Commissione per le Adozioni internazionali in Italy. The latter will then authorise the entry and permanence of the adopted child in Italy, certifying that the adoption is compliant with the 1993 Hague Convention
The achievement of this stage must not lead to think that there will no longer be control by the authorities responsible for it; in fact, the Tribunale per i Minorenni will continue to monitor the family in the post-adoption period to ensure the minor their full integration into the new family nucleus.
Only at the end of this period, the Judge will issue the definitive decree of recognition of the international adoption ordering the transcription of the order in the registers of the civil status.
Typical scenarios / Case studies
The typical scenarios have been developed by combining the most significant family law cases that the firm routinely handles, with the aim of creating a structured and complex case study to help readers navigate the handling of their own personal cases. The case studies, on the other hand, illustrate individual cases that have actually been handled by the firm, with data and details anonymised to ensure client confidentiality.
Registrazione del contratto di convivenza e regolarizzazione del partner straniero
Coppia residente a Roma: cittadino italiano e compagna straniera priva di documenti di soggiorno. Ricorso cautelare ex art. 700 c.p.c. per tutela della convivenza, seguito da pratica per carta di soggiorno familiare UE.
Adozione di maggiorenne per riconoscere un rapporto familiare di fatto
Cittadino statunitense residente a Roma con legame affettivo stabile con lo zio acquisito. Procedimento per adozione di persona maggiorenne ex artt. 291 e ss. del Codice Civile per formalizzare il rapporto familiare.
Contratto di convivenza per coppia italo-brasiliana: tutela patrimonio e permesso di soggiorno
Imprenditore italiano e compagna brasiliana conviventi da tre anni a Milano. Tre vulnerabilità interconnesse: migratoria, patrimoniale e successoria, risolte con un intervento coordinato su tre fronti paralleli.
Adozione in Colombia: coppia italiana realizza il sogno dopo 3 anni di percorso
Una coppia sposata da otto anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale con la Colombia. Un percorso attraverso due ordinamenti, tre istituzioni italiane e l’autorità centrale colombiana.
Successione con eredi in 4 paesi diversi: coordinamento Italia-USA-UK-Svizzera
Un imprenditore italiano lascia un patrimonio distribuito tra Italia, Stati Uniti e Svizzera, con quattro eredi in altrettanti paesi. Quattro ordinamenti, quattro sistemi fiscali da coordinare in parallelo.
Adozione maggiorenne figlio del partner: riconoscimento legame affettivo ventennale
Un uomo di cinquantotto anni chiede di adottare il figlio trentenne della moglie, cresciuto insieme da vent’anni. Un legame reale che la legge non riconosceva, con implicazioni successorie per i figli biologici.
Impugnazione testamento per lesione di legittima: recuperati 800.000 euro per gli eredi
Due figli ricevono 20.000 euro ciascuno da un testamento che lascia quasi tutto alla seconda moglie del padre. Un’azione di riduzione per lesione della quota di legittima risolta in mediazione.
Pianificazione successoria azienda familiare: passaggio generazionale da 3 milioni
Un imprenditore di sessantadue anni deve trasferire un’azienda da 50 dipendenti al figlio che la gestisce, tutelando la figlia che ha scelto un altro percorso. Patto di famiglia e holding per garantire continuità.
Adozione internazionale da parte di single: quando la legge apre una strada che pochi conoscono
Una donna single di quarantacinque anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale. Un percorso giuridicamente possibile ma poco conosciuto, che richiede una strategia legale specifica fin dal decreto di idoneità.
Eredità digitale: gestione criptovalute e asset digitali del defunto
Un professionista muore lasciando criptovalute per oltre 600.000 euro su wallet e exchange, senza istruzioni di accesso. Un patrimonio digitale che rischiava di andare perduto per sempre.
Rettifica del nome per persona transgender: documenti coerenti con la propria identità
Una professionista trentaduenne, in trattamento ormonale da otto anni, con documenti ancora al nome maschile di nascita. La discrepanza anagrafica generava outing forzati quotidiani in ambito lavorativo, bancario e amministrativo.
Attribuzione di sesso e aggiornamento di oltre 20 documenti: dalla sentenza alla nuova identità anagrafica
Un dirigente di 45 anni con sentenza di rettificazione già ottenuta si trova davanti al vero ostacolo: coordinare carta d’identità, patente, laurea, contratti di lavoro, mutuo e polizze assicurative presso enti con procedure non uniformate.
How can we help you
International adoption for foreigners residing in Italy shows itself as a complex and demanding proceeding, but allows giving new life to a child seeking a family.
The right knowledge of national and international regulation is fundamental to address every phase with serenity and competence.
Turning to Boschetti Studio Legale for personalised support is your first step towards the realisation of your desire to welcome a child into the family, in respect of the law and with maximum attention to the well-being of the minor.
Fill in the form to allow us to assess your case. We will contact you back within 48 working hours to inform you whether and how we can assist you.
This form is reserved for those who need legal assistance on a concrete situation. We do not provide free advice nor answers to generic queries by email. If you have a case that requires professional assessment, fill in the form: we will contact you back for a first exploratory meeting.
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How long does it take to adopt an international child?
To adopt an international child the time varies depending on the Country of origin of the minor and on the legal procedures involved.
Generally, the entire process could require from two to four years. This time span includes the prodromal phase of preparation of the documents, the time required for the issuance of the decree of suitability by the Judge, the subsequent phase of identification of the minor and the final completion of the legal procedures in the foreign Country.
How much does international adoption cost?
International adoption has a variable cost, based on legal taxes, translations, travel, charges and fees for the entities authorised to manage the adoption procedure abroad.
Each Country has different rates, for which it is always advisable to inform oneself preventively, with the help of professional sector lawyers, on the specific costs provided for by the country of origin of the child.
Where is it easier to adopt a child?
The ease of adopting a child depends on the legislative provisions of each Country of origin.
Some Countries adopt more streamlined and less restrictive procedures, think of Colombia and some nations of Africa.
However, local regulations play a fundamental role in the complex adoption procedure, diversifying the requirements for adoptive parents, waiting times and other factors, for which reason it is advisable to rely on a specialised lawyer to better orient oneself.
What is the maximum age to adopt a child?
The maximum age to adopt a child in Italy is not predetermined. However, to respect the requirements imposed by law, reference is made to the prerequisite whereby between the adopter and the minor there must be an age difference between 18 and 45 years.
Exceptions also exist for couples already with children or in particular situations, just as the same international laws sometimes provide for peculiarities depending on the Country from which one adopts.
How long does it take for an international adoption?
For an international adoption it takes on average a time ranging from 2 years to 4 years. The overall time varies based on the country of origin of the child, on the specific requirements provided for by the reference legal system, on the procedures necessary in Italy.
This means that every phase of the process, including the phase of identification of the minor as well as that of completion of the formalities in the foreign Country, can influence the overall duration.
How to adopt an international child?
Adopting an international child requires the decree of suitability issued by the Tribunale per i Minorenni in favour of the parents. Subsequently, they will have to turn to an authorised body to continue the procedure in the foreign country, in order to positively bring to Italy the minor who will be identified by the couple.
The chosen body will collaborate with the trusted law firm of the adopting couple in order to conclude the adoption phase in the country of origin, which will be followed by the recognition phase in Italy.
