According to the the family law of the Republic of Belarus, adoption is a legal fact based on a court decision, which equates the status of the adopter and the adopted child to the status of the father and child. To put it simply, people who have no genetic relationship after the adoption are considered as parents and children.
International adoption of children
In Belarus international adoption is possible for children who are citizens of the Republic of Belarus, when the adoptive parents are citizens of Belarus permanently residing outside the country, or foreigners, or evenstateless persons. In addition, adoption can also be established for children who are foreigners but permanently reside on the territory of Belarus.
As a general rule, issues of international adoption are considered exclusively in relation to children included in the relevant list, which contains information about orphans and children left without parental care, not placed in families of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, who have been registered centrally for at least a year in the Republican data bank on the adoption of orphans and children left without parental care.
In addition, international adoption is possible if the procedure for international adoption is agreed between the state authorities of the Republic of Belarus and the country of permanent residence of the adoptive parent. As a general rule, if such agreements are not fixed at the level of international contacts, it is impossible to actually carry out the procedure of international adoption. The exception are the cases where the adoptive parents are the stepfather, stepmother or relatives of the child.
International adoption by Italian citizens
Nowadays, the Republic of Belarus and the Italian Republic have signed a Protocol on Cooperation, according to which the international adoption of children by Italian citizens is permissible. In fact, as a result of this procedure, the child receives all the rights and guarantees enjoyed by any minor who is a citizen of the Italian Republic.
The protocol defines a number of state bodies and organizations that are authorized to participate in the international adoption procedure. In particular, on the part of the Republic of Belarus, the National Center for Adoption of the Ministry of Education acts as such an authorized body, on the part of the Italian Republic – the Commission on International Adoption under the Presidium of the Council of Ministers. In addition, there are authorized associations in Italy that provide technical and legal support to potential adoptive parents.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing our clients in adoption cases. Our lawyers are ready to provide you with the following legal assistance in matters of adoption:
– oral and written consultations on the national adoption procedure;
– oral and written consultations on the procedure of international adoption;
– representation and protection of interests in state bodies and organizations, as well as in the courts of the Republic of Belarus on the issue of adoption of children;
– preparation of documents necessary for the implementation of the adoption procedure.
If you have questions related to ensuring the return of the child, and you need help or advice from a lawyer, please contact our lawyers at the email address: info@familylawyer.by or by phone: +375293570355.
