Adoption in Lebanon.
Lebanese lawyers' assistance in domestic and international child adoption, handled with discretion and care.
Adoption in Lebanon is conducted before the competent spiritual courts. It is a solemn judicial arrangement between two persons that creates civil relations of legitimate paternity and filiation. Adoption is permitted only for legitimate reasons and in the best interest of the adopter, after verification of their good character and social situation.
Who may adopt
As a rule, any secular person, whether a man or a woman, may adopt, subject to the conditions of the applicable community law. An adopted person cannot be adopted by more than one adopter, unless the adoption is jointly made by a married couple.
Adoption of a minor: consent
For the valid adoption of a minor, the following consents are required:
- ◆The consent of the minor themselves, in the forms provided by law
- ◆The consent of the parents, of the surviving parent, or of the guardian, in particular in cases of permanent abandonment or annulment of the marriage
- ◆If both parents are deceased or unable to express their view, the competent religious authority (for example the Metropolitan of the Eparchy) substitutes for them
Prohibited adoptions
Certain adoptions are void and without legal effect, notably:
- ◆The adoption by parents of their own illegitimate children
- ◆The adoption by a custodian of the person under their custody, or by a keeper of the person under their safekeeping
- ◆The adoption by a person managing the assets of the adoptee, as long as they have not been discharged and their accounts have not been approved by the court
Procedure
The adoption procedure typically involves the filing of a petition before the competent spiritual court, a social investigation, the hearing of the parties and, where required, of the child, and the delivery of an adoption judgment that is then transcribed in the civil registry. Foreign adopters must, in addition, comply with the requirements of their country of residence and, where applicable, with international conventions on inter-country adoption.
How we assist
Our attorneys assist Lebanese families, mixed couples and foreign adopters throughout the process, from the initial legal analysis to the final registration of the adoption. We coordinate with the competent religious and civil authorities, and with foreign counsel where the adopter resides abroad.