CHILD ADOPTION IN RWANDA

June 23, 2022
Muramira
Family Law
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Child adoption in Rwanda is easy compared to other states in the region.

The Rwandan law categorically provides for key requirements before child adoption can be allowed in Rwanda.

Adoption refers to a system that creates a parent-child relationship between a child and a person who is not the child’s biological parent.

Also, intercountry adoption is a form of adoption that creates relationship between a child and an adoptive parent with whom he/she has no kinship relationship but both are not domiciled in the same country.

Furthermore, a child must be below 18 years.

There are two forms of adoption in Rwanda and these are : Simple adoption & full adoption.

More so, simple adoption is a form of adoption that consists in maintaining filiation ties with the adoptee’s family of origin.

Whereas, full adoption is a form of adoption that completely severs filiation ties with the adoptee’s family of origin.

Simple adoption allows a child continues to belong to his/her family of origin and retains all rights and duties and keep his/her names.

Adoptive parent exercises parental authority over the adoptee.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD ADOPTION in Rwanda

To be a person of integrity
To have enough resources for him/her to meet the duties that arise from adoption
To be at least 21 years old
Applicant is 7 years older than the child.
To have a fixed address
Never been imprisonment for offences against the family
Not to sentenced to imprisonment for the crime of genocide
No deprivation of parental authority

Grounds for full child adoption?

The child’s parents are unknown or have abandoned him/her as declared by the court
The child is an orphan and has no siblings
The child is a ward of the State.
Consent of child above 12 years is mandatory
Adoptive parents have right to change child’s name in his or best interest.

There are several requirements in order for one to qualify for child adoption in Rwanda:

Consent of both parents is mandatory if they are all still alive
Even after divorce parents must give their consent for adoption is vital.
In cases where parents are absent or disappeared a person in custody of child gives consent
Adoptive parents may change the name of a child adopted if it is his/her best interests.
Furthermore, a child above 12 years must give consent before name change.

NOTE: Full adoption entitles an adopted child and his/her descendants to same rights and duties as if the adoptive parents were his/her biological parents.

Inter-country adoption in Rwanda

Adoption aims at the interests of the child
No other person in the country of origin of the child to be adopted who wants to adopt the child;
The consent of those required to consent to the adoption was freely given advice.
Receiving State where the adopted child is to be transferred has proved that the intending intercountry adoptive parent has enough capacity to cater for the child and is of good moral integrity required for adoption
The country of the intending adoptive parent has approved that the child will be allowed to enter and reside in such a country on a permanent basis.

Cost of child adoption in Rwanda?

The cost of hiring alawyer to follow up the process of adoption is over $1000 (1,000,000 frw)

Administrative costs may also range above $200 (200,000 Frw).

For further reference please check http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Rwanda-Law-No-001-2020-amending-Law-no-32-2016-governing-persons-and-family.pdf

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CHILD ADOPTION IN RWANDA