ADOPTIONS
1. Greek citizens who adopt a minor born abroad with Foreign Court Order
Required documents:
- Legally certified Final Court Order1 issued by the foreign court;
- Official translation2 of the court judgment issued in a foreign language;
- A decision issued by a Greek court on the recognition of the final judgment issued by the foreign court, where applicable;
- Adoptive parents Family Status3 issued by the Municipality in Greece. The Family status must be issued within the last six months.
- The applicant must have a valid identification document or passport.
The adopted minor is registered at the Special Civil Registry by: a) by one of the parents b) by a duly authorized third party; by means of notarized Special Power of Attorney c) by a lawyer; by means of notarized Special Power of Attorney d) if the adoptee is an adult he/she may register his/her adoption.
- If the natural parents of the adopted child are Greek nationals, the adoption is registered on the birth registration document which has been issued by the Special Civil Registry as an amendment.
- If the natural parents of the adopted child are foreign nationals, an Adoption Report is prepared in Special Civil Registry Department or before the competent Greek Consular Authority abroad, which is executed by the Special Civil Registry.
2. Adoption of a minor by Greek citizens, which takes place through an adoption order issued by a Greek court.
If he adoptive parents have their permanent residence in Greece, the Registry Office of the area where the court decision was issued, is the responsible authority for registering the adoption. Adoption of an adult born abroad and adopted by a Greek citizen, through an adoption order issued by a foreign court
3. Adoption of an adult born abroad and adopted by a Greek citizen, through an adoption order issued by a foreign court
The adoption of an adult born abroad by a parent with Greek citizenship through an adoption order issued by a foreign court can take place only if the adoptive parent is the spouse of the natural parent.
Required documents:
• Legally certified Final Court Order4 issued by the foreign court;
• Official translation5 of the court judgment issued in a language other than Greek;
• A decision issued by a Greek court on the recognition of the final judgment issued by the foreign court, where applicable;
• Certified Family Status from the municipality of the adoptive parents. The Family Status must be issued within the last six months6.
The adopted minor is registered at the Special Civil Registry by: a) by one of the parents b) by a duly authorized third party; by means of notarized Special Power of Attorney c) by a lawyer; by means of notarized Special Power of Attorney d) if the adoptee is an adult he/she may register his/her adoption.
[1] a) Apostille Stamp (See link: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41 ) or b) if the country is not a member of the Apostille Convention certified by the Greek Consulate in the area of residence or c) if a EU member no other certification is needed. [2] Official translation: a) the document can be translated and certified by the Consulate or b) the document can be translated in Greece by the Section of Translations (Arionos 10 and Ermou- Monastiraki) or c) by a Greek qualified lawyer. [3] Certified Family Status (Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης): a) From the municipality where the parents are registered in Greece b) apply at a ΚΕΠ or c) from ERMIS. See: http://www.ermis.gov.gr/portal/page/portal/ermis/elServices?p_type=2 [4] Read footnote #1. [5] Read footnote #2. [6] Read footnote #3.
