In the event of parental neglect, is it possible to adopt a child?
Verified 14 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ?
Yes, the adoption of a minor child who has been the subject of a parental neglect procedure is possible. The judge pronounces the abandonment of the child when his parents no longer have the necessary ties with him for his education and development.
When the judgment of parental neglect declaration is become definitive, the minor may be the subject an adoption.
The rules differ depending on whether the child had a filiation relationship with one or two parents:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Parentage established in respect of a single parent
The judgment which pronounced the parental neglect, the minor is adoptable.
It can be adopted by a couple or by a single person.
Parentage established in respect of the two parents
The child may be adopted when the judgment has pronounced the parental neglect of a parent and that the other parent has not lost the rights to theparental authority and consented to its adoption.
The child may also be adopted when the judgment has pronounced the parental neglect towards his 2 parents.
It can be adopted by a couple or by a single person.
The parents of a juvenile who has been declared judicially abandoned may apply for restitution of their rights when the child was not placed for adoption. The restitution of the child must be in the best interests of the child. The use of a lawyer is mandatory. Legal aid may be requested in case of insufficient resources to cover all or part of these costs.
On the same subject
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Please note: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their progress.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Department of Justice.
- Department Services
Adoption in case of refusal of parents (article 348-7)
Judicial declaration of parental neglect
Service Public
Service Public