Cross-Border Recognition of Adoption Decisions in the EU: Focus on Delft
In Delft, located in the South Holland region, EU legislation simplifies the recognition of adoption decisions between Member States via Brussels II-bis and the Hague Adoption Convention, with specific handling by the District Court of The Hague.
Legal Basis
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Parentage Regulation), directly applicable in Delft.
- Hague Adoption Convention article 23 for international cases.
- Kingdom Act on recognition and enforcement, enforced by local authorities in South Holland.
Automatic Recognition
Adoption decisions from other EU countries are automatically recognised in Delft without a special procedure, provided the subsidiarity check has been satisfied. A certificate from the European Judicial Network is mandatory and can be applied for via the municipality of Delft.
Procedure in Case of Resistance in Delft
- Submit exequatur application to the District Court of The Hague, district for Delft.
- Processing period: maximum 1 month.
- Grounds for refusal: violation of public order or fundamental rights.
Practical Examples in Delft
An adoption from Poland recognised for a Delft family: direct integration without delay. For non-EU adoptions, the Hague Convention applies with additional verification by the Judicial Information Service. In the Delft region, approximately 15-20 EU adoption recognitions are handled annually, often via the Juridisch Loket Delft for advice.
Benefits for Delft families: Fast legal integration of the child, with access to local facilities such as the Consultatiebureau at Mijnbouwstraat.