Cross-Border Recognition of Adoption Decisions in Zoetermeer
In Zoetermeer, as a municipality in the South Holland region, EU legislation simplifies the recognition of adoption decisions from other Member States via Brussels II-bis and the Hague Adoption Convention, with local handling via the District Court of The Hague.
Legal Basis
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Parentage Regulation), directly applicable in Zoetermeer.
- Hague Adoption Convention article 23 for international cases.
- Kingdom Act on recognition and enforcement, with a counter at the municipality of Zoetermeer.
Automatic Recognition
Adoption decisions from EU Member States are recognised in Zoetermeer without additional procedure, provided the subsidiarity principle has been complied with. A certificate from the European Judicial Network is mandatory; the municipality of Zoetermeer verifies this upon registration in the Personal Records Database (BRP).
Procedure in Case of Resistance
- Submit exequatur application to the District Court of The Hague, Zoetermeer branch.
- Processing period: maximum 1 month.
- Grounds for refusal: violation of public order or fundamental rights.
Practical Examples in Zoetermeer
An adoption from Poland recognised for a Zoetermeer family: direct registration with the civil registry. For non-EU adoptions, the Hague Convention applies with additional verification. Annually, more than 50 EU adoption recognitions are handled in the region around Zoetermeer, often with the assistance of local youth care institutions such as the Centre for Youth and Family (CJG) Zoetermeer.
Benefits: Rapid integration of the child into Zoetermeer society, with access to local facilities such as schools and childcare.
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