If an adoption was carried out abroad, the family court may, upon request, determine whether it is to be recognized in Germany and what legal effects may be attributed to it. The family court in whose district a Higher Regional Court is located has jurisdiction over the recognition proceedings for the district of that Higher Regional Court. If the adoption was carried out in accordance with the Hague Convention on Adoption and a certificate from the competent Central Authority is available, the adoption is generally recognized by operation of law.

If an adoption carried out under foreign law has weaker legal effects than an adoption granted under German substantive law, the family court may, upon a notarial application, convert it into an adoption with the strong legal effects provided for under German law. The application for conversion may be filed even years after the adoption.