Child Adoption Lawyer in Versailles

Practicing at the Versailles Bar, Maître Quétand-Finet guides and represents you throughout your adoption procedure. Our law firm has developed recognized expertise in French family and filiation law, ensuring top-tier legal service. Whether pursuing simple adoption (adoption simple) or full adoption (adoption plénière), we handle your case with rigor and care.

Adoption Procedures in France

Who Can Apply to Adopt?

Any individual over 28 years old can apply for adoption, whether living alone or as a couple, married or unmarried. For married couples, the spouses must not be legally separated (séparés de corps), and must have been married for over two years or both be at least 28 years old.

Who Can Be Adopted?

Individuals eligible for adoption under French law include:

Wards of the State (pupilles de l'État),
Children entrusted to Child Welfare Services (ASE) whose biological parents consented to adoption,
Children declared judicially abandoned by a court,
Under specific statutory conditions, the child of one's spouse or partner.

Note: If the adoptee is over 13 years of age, their express formal consent is legally required before adoption can proceed.

Adoption Approval (L'Agrément)

Official administrative approval (agrément) is an essential prerequisite before being able to adopt a child, whether an international adoption or a French ward of the state.

The Child Welfare Agency (Aide Sociale à l'Enfance - ASE) issues this approval following comprehensive psychological and social evaluations of your family background and adoption project. It is valid for 5 years and applies to one adoption project at a time.

Adoption timelines vary widely, but expect a minimum of around 11 months to obtain the official approval (agrément).

It is legally possible to adopt an adult under simple adoption.
Cohabitants and civil union partners (PACS) can adopt jointly provided both partners are over 28 years old.
Infants can be adopted; however, newborn infants cannot be adopted before they reach at least 2 months of age.
Posthumous adoption is possible if the formal adoption procedure was initiated after welcoming the child into the home prior to the adopter's or child's death.
Intrafamily adoption of a nephew, niece, or cousin (intrafamily adoption) is permitted provided there is an age difference of at least 15 years between adopter and adoptee.

Simple Adoption (Adoption Simple)

Legal Framework of Simple Adoption

Simple adoption does not sever the legal ties between the child and their biological family of origin. The child retains their biological filiation alongside their new adoptive filiation.

First names can be modified in the court ruling.

The adoptive family surname is added to the child's birth name. If the child is over 13 and consents, the adopter may petition the court to replace the biological family surname entirely.

Parental authority is exercised by the adoptive family (except in the simple adoption of a spouse's child, where the biological parent retains exclusive parental authority unless a parental authority delegation is granted to the stepparent)…

Under simple adoption, the adoptee inherits from both families. However, they may be excluded from inheritance by adoptive grandparents. Regarding French inheritance tax exemptions, simple adoption is generally not treated as biological filiation, except in specific cases defined by Article 786 of the French General Tax Code (CGI).

Simple Adoption Procedure: When is a Lawyer Mandatory?

For a simple adoption, an official petition for simple adoption must be filed with the competent Judicial Court (Tribunal Judiciaire).

The official filing date of this petition determines the effective legal date of the adoption.

If the child was welcomed into the home after the age of 15, representation by a lawyer is mandatory under French law.

If the child was welcomed into the home before the age of 15, you may file the simple adoption petition directly without an attorney, using the official court guidance and forms.

Official Court Forms:

Statutory conditions for simple adoption are set out in the French Civil Code (Articles 360-362). Legal consequences of simple adoption are defined in Articles 363-370-2.

Full Adoption (Adoption Plénière)

Legal Framework of Full Adoption

Unlike simple adoption, full adoption completely severs all legal filiation between the child and their biological birth family. Since the legal bond is dissolved, the child has no remaining legal ties to their biological family. French law ceases to distinguish between adoptive and biological family because full legal filiation is permanently established with the adoptive parents.

Consequently, the child automatically assumes the adopter's surname.

In full adoption, the adoptee leaves the estate and inheritance of the biological family. Full adoption grants the adoptee the exact same legal rights and obligations within the adoptive family as a biological child born within or outside marriage (cf. official tax guidance BOFiP).

Full Adoption Procedure

Official Forms:

Full adoption of a minor by spouses
Full adoption of a minor by an individual
Full adoption of a spouse's child
Full adoption of an adult under 20 years old by an individual or couple: refer to simple adoption procedures.

Full adoption of an adult is generally prohibited, unless the person is under 20 years of age and meets one of the following two statutory exceptions:

they were welcomed into the home before age 15 but legal conditions for full adoption were not previously met,
they were adopted under simple adoption before the age of 15.

International Adoption

As the number of French wards of the state has declined, international adoption developed significantly, representing approximately 80% of minor adoptions in France.

International adoption is an intricate, highly regulated procedure requiring strict compliance with both French law and the child's country of origin. In addition to French approvals, candidates must satisfy the foreign country's distinct legal criteria.

Our law firm currently focuses on domestic adoption procedures. We advise contacting accredited adoption bodies whose involvement is mandatory for international adoptions (such as the French Adoption Agency - AFA).

Individual Adoption (Single Applicants)

Adoption by a single person is permitted under French law. However, it involves thorough assessment, as the candidate must demonstrate their capacity to raise and support the child independently. Child placement authorities often prioritize couples. Having a strong external support network (family, godparents) is a decisive asset when seeking placement.

When is a Lawyer Required for Adoption in France?

Adoption is a profound and delicate legal process. An experienced family lawyer ensures clarity on the appropriate adoption regime (simple vs. full) and its long-term civil and tax consequences.

Your lawyer drafts and prepares the legal petitions and supporting exhibits.

A lawyer is legally mandatory if the child was received into your home after the age of 15.

Which Court Has Jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction for adoption petitions lies with the Judicial Court (Tribunal Judiciaire) determined by:

the adopter's place of residence if residing in France,
the adoptee's place of residence if the adopter lives abroad,
or a Judicial Court of your choice if neither adopter nor adoptee resides in France.

The petition is formally addressed to the Public Prosecutor (Procureur de la République) attached to the Judicial Court.

How Much Does Simple or Full Adoption Cost in France?

Legal fees depend on the complexity of the case. CQF Avocat applies transparent flat-fee packages that cover all steps with total financial certainty.

In addition to legal fees, the mandatory notarial consent deed costs approximately €200.

A formal written fee agreement (convention d'honoraires) is signed before initiating any legal work.

Claire Quétand-Finet, English-speaking Family Lawyer in Versailles

By Claire Quétand-Finet Family & Divorce Lawyer - Versailles Bar Association

PhD in Private Law · +10 years of experience in family & divorce law · University Lecturer for continuous legal expertise