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Report an adoption

After adoption, the adopted child must be registered with the Civil Affairs Department of the Public Entity of Bonaire.

First, you must apply for a residence permit. Once you have received the residence permit, you should go to the Civil Affairs Department as soon as possible.

What does this product or service mean?

What should you pay attention to?

Currently, adoption is only possible from the Philippines, Hungary, Lesotho, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

Please note!

Currently, adoption is only possible from the Philippines, Hungary, Lesotho, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

If you are planning to adopt a child, there are two options:

  1. You would like to adopt a child from abroad. Please contact the adoption Services department of the Fiom Foundation.
  2. You want to adopt a Dutch child, such as your current partner's child.
    In that case, contact a lawyer. Once the court has granted the adoption, the municipality will automatically be notified by the court.

Have you adopted a child from abroad? If so, first apply for a residence permit from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Caribbean Netherlands (IND-CN). After that, you must register your adopted child with the Civil Affairs Department as soon as possible.

Have you adopted a Dutch child, and is your child not yet registered at your address?
1) First, apply for a residence permit with the IND-CND.
2) Then, you must deregister your adopted child from the Netherlands.
3) After that, you can register your child with the Civil Affairs Department.

In the Netherlands, you can only adopt children under the age of 18. Adults can be adopted only in very special cases.

How do you apply for this?

Make an appointment with the Civil Affairs to register your adopted child in the population registry (PIVA). Please bring your adopted child with you to the appointment.

Be sure to bring the following:

  • your valid identification
  • your adopted child’s identification
  • a valid residence permit
  • if applicable: proof of deregistration (change-of-address notice) from Saba, St. Eustatius, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, or the European Netherlands.

Your adopted child’s name is determined during the adoption process. Starting January 1, 2024, you may also give the child their original last name. You may also combine it with your own last name or that of your partner, if applicable. Visit the Dutch government’s website for more information and examples.

Were you adopted as an adult while living abroad? If so, the Civil Affairs Department may not be able to update your registration in the PIVA right away. Sometimes the Civil Affairs Department wants to conduct an investigation first.

Which laws and rules apply?

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