International Adoption Act (Law 54/2007): A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 in Law & Jurisprudence

Law 54/2007 of 28 December on International Adoption

Summary

Part I. General Provisions

Chapter I. Scope

  • Article 1. Scope
  • Article 2. Scope and Purpose of the Act
  • Article 3. Principles of International Adoption Reporting
  • Article 4. Circumstances Preventing or Conditioning Adoption

Chapter II. Collaborating Public and International Adoption

  • Article 5. Statement of the Public Organizations of Child Protection
  • Article 6. Intermediation Activity in International Adoption
  • Article 7. Accreditation, Monitoring, and Control of Collaborating Entities
  • Article 8. List of Adoption Applicants and Collaborating Entities
  • Article 9. Communication Between Spanish and Foreign Authorities

Chapter III. Capabilities and Requirements for International Adoption

  • Article 10. Suitability of Adopters
  • Article 11. Post-Adoptive Duties
  • Article 12. Right to Know Biological Origins
  • Article 13. Protection of Personal Data

Part II. Private International Law Rules Relating to International Adoption

Chapter I. Jurisdiction for the Constitution of International Adoption

  • Article 14. International Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases
  • Article 15. International Jurisdiction for Modification of Adoption Cases
  • Article 16. Objective and Territorial Jurisdiction of the Court
  • Article 17. Jurisdiction of Consuls in Adoption Cases

Chapter II. Applicable Law to Adoption

Section I. Adoptions Governed by Spanish Law
  • Article 18. Law Applicable to Adoption
  • Article 19. Capacity and Necessary Consents
  • Article 20. Consents, Hearings, and Approvals
Section II. Adoptions Governed by Foreign Law
  • Article 21. Law Applicable to Adoption
Section III. Common Provisions
  • Article 22. Law Applicable to Conversion or Revision of Adoption
  • Article 23. Spanish International Public Order
  • Article 24. Prior Proposal for Adoption

Chapter III. Effects of Adoptions in Spain Established by Foreign Authorities

  • Article 25. International Standards
  • Article 26. Requirements for Validity in Absence of Standards
  • Article 27. Checking Validity
  • Article 28. Requirements for Validity of Foreign Judgments
  • Article 29. Registration in Civil Register
  • Article 30. Simple Adoption Constituted by Foreign Authority
  • Article 31. International Order

Part III. Other Protection of Minors

Chapter I. Jurisdiction and Applicable Law

  • Article 32. Jurisdiction for Other Child Protection Measures
  • Article 33. Law Applicable to Other Protection Measures

Chapter II. Effects of Foreign Decisions on Minor Protection

  • Article 34. Legal Effects of Foreign Protection Decisions

Additional Provisions and Amendments

Single Additional Provision. Public Entities of Child Protection

Repealing Provision. Organic Law on Legal Protection of Minors

First Final Provision. Amendment of Civil Code Articles

Second Final Provision. Amendment of Law 1/2000, Civil Procedure

Third Final Provision. Demarcation Act and Judicial Plant

Fourth Final Provision. Civil Registration Act

Fifth Final Provision. Title Competence

Sixth Final Provision. Entry into Force

Explanatory Statement

I. Increased international adoptions due to varying economic and demographic circumstances require legal adaptation.

II. This Act aligns with the Spanish Constitution and international instruments like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

III. The Act is structured in three parts: General Provisions, Private International Law Rules, and Other Protection of Minors. It addresses scope, public entities’ involvement, adopter suitability, jurisdiction, applicable law, and effects of foreign adoptions.

IV. The Act amends articles in the Civil Code related to adoption and minor protection, addressing concerns raised by the Child Rights Committee.