Adoption - Request access to files
As an adopted person, you can inspect your placement file to obtain information about your origins and life story. This only applies if it does not conflict with and outweigh the interests of other parties concerned, especially the birth parents.
You will be supported by a specialist from the adoption placement centre.
You can also inspect your files at the registry office.
The records and documents relating to each placement are kept for 100 years from the date of birth of the child.
Responsible authority
- the adoption agency
- the registry office
Contact
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
If you would like to view the mediation files:
You have
- have been adopted and are at least 16 years old or
- Adoptive parents and your adopted child whose files you wish to view are not yet 16 years old.
If you would like to view the data at the registry office:
The following may inspect the civil register at the registry office:
- the adoptive parents,
- their parents,
- the legal representative of the child and
- the child itself, who is at least 16 years old.
This restriction ceases to apply upon the death of the child.
After the death of the child, the civil status register can be inspected:
- Persons to whom the register entry relates and
- their spouses, civil partners, ancestors and descendants.
Other persons have a right of inspection if they can credibly demonstrate a legal interest. In the case of the register of births or deaths, it is sufficient to substantiate a legitimate interest if the application is made by a sibling of the child or deceased person. Persons at least 16 years of age are eligible to apply.
Procedure
If you would like information about your origins, you must contact the adoption agency that placed you. The specialists will allow you to inspect the files and provide information about your origins and general living circumstances, such as the birth parents' reasons for releasing you. As a rule, the file also contains reports on your development that the adoption placement centre has prepared as part of the aftercare.
Please note: The right to inspect the file is restricted if this conflicts with the overriding personal interests of the persons involved. In this case, sensitive areas are usually covered.
If you wish, the specialised staff will try to establish contact with your biological parents. If your family of origin would also like to contact you, they will usually arrange this.
The adoption placement centre also endeavours to find an appropriate individual solution for the birth parents and siblings from the family of origin. There is no right to inspect the file.
To inspect the civil status register, we recommend that you make an appointment to appear in person at the registry office. You can also request information in writing, by fax or - if the municipality in question offers this - online.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
Identity card
Costs
- Information from the adoption agency: free of charge
- Information or inspection of a civil status register: EUR 20.00
- Information or inspection of the collective file of the registry office: EUR 20.00
Processing time
The processing time depends on the individual case.
Miscellaneous
none
Legal basis
Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB):
- § 1758 Offenbarungs- und Ausforschungsverbot
Adoptionsvermittlungsgesetz (AdVermiG):
- § 9b Vermittlungsakten
Personenstandsgesetz (PStG):
- § 62 Urkundenerteilung, Auskunft, Einsicht
- § 63 Benutzung in besonderen Fällen
Verordnung des Innenministeriums zur Durchführung des Personenstandsgesetzes (PStG-DVO):
- § 5 Erhebung von Gebühren und Auslagen in Verbindung mit Anlage 1 (Gebührenverzeichnis)
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg, 05.06.2025