A Must-Read for Adoptive Parents! Can you obtain citizenship through a legal adoption? A bolt from the blue after twelve years

📖 Case Summary

In 2001, a couple adopted an abandoned baby and, to make things easier, falsely reported themselves as the biological parents on the birth certificate.

Twelve years later, when the child applied for an ID, it was discovered that the new document stated they were “not a citizen.”

The local court initially ruled in favor of the parents, but the higher court ultimately overturned the decision. Even a legal adoption order couldn’t restore the child’s citizenship.

⚖️ Three Key Legal Facts

1️⃣ The constitution recognizes only blood relations: Citizenship is automatically granted only if at least one biological parent was a citizen at the time of the child’s birth.

2️⃣ Timing makes it absolutely impossible: Adoption orders take effect only after birth, so they cannot retroactively change the nationality at birth.

3️⃣ Adoption law cannot override the constitution: While an adoption order can grant custody and inheritance rights, it cannot grant citizenship.

💡 Advice for Adoptive Families

Falsely reporting biological parents for convenience will only delay the crisis until the child applies for an ID.

The real solution is Article 15A of the constitution: Apply for citizenship registration with the authorities as early as possible, rather than hoping to “automatically” get citizenship.

Legal adoption procedures + early citizenship registration are the only proper way to protect your child.