Giving a child up for adoption is an alternative to abortion that is worth considering. The youth welfare offices can help with adoption placement. In view of the very large number of couples who register as interested in adopting a child, there are good prospects of finding suitable and loving adoptive parents.

If the woman gives birth to the child, she can give her consent to an adoption after eight weeks at the earliest. However, the adopters must already be known. A "blanket adoption", where only the mother's general consent is given, is not permitted. However, consent can be given for an "incognito adoption". In this case, the adoptive parents are known, but the child's mother does not know them.

In principle, the consent of "the parents" is required for an adoption. However, the biological father cannot be involved if he is not known. A man who considers himself to be the child's father can participate in the adoption procedure if he can credibly demonstrate that he is the child's biological father.

The mother's consent must be notarized before the notary and then submitted to the family court. It cannot be granted subject to a condition or a time limit. The consent is irrevocable. However, it loses its force if the adoptive parents withdraw their application or the family court refuses to accept it. Furthermore, the consent loses its validity if the child is not adopted within three years of the consent taking effect.

The "release for adoption" is an alternative to termination of pregnancy that is worth considering in the vital interests of the child. However, the mother must be aware that the adoption cannot be reversed and that there is a fundamental prohibition on disclosure and investigation of her circumstances. The mother therefore has no right to know the names of the adoptive parents at a later date or to contact her child. She should therefore be aware of the potentially serious psychological consequences of giving the child up for adoption.

Responsibility

Youth welfare office as adoption agency; family court to decide on the adoption.