Applying to reverse an adoption as an adopted child

If you were adopted as a child in the Netherlands and you want to revoke your adoption, you can make an application to the district court for this. This is called herroeping van de adoptie (revoking an adoption).

Last updated on 14 February 2023

Lees deze informatie in het Nederlands

Eligibility for revoking an adoption

To be eligible to revoke your adoption, the following conditions must be met:

  • It must be in your own interest to revoke the adoption.
  • You must be 20, 21 or 22 years of age at the time of making the application.

The application to revoke an adoption cannot be made by the birth parents or the adoptive parents.

Making an application to revoke an adoption

An application to revoke an adoption must be submitted to the district court. The procedure to revoke an adoption consists of a number of steps. You will need a lawyer to do this on your behalf. The court decides whether to grant your application.

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1, artikel 231

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