How to Adopt a Child in Tanzania (checklist + docs)

If you want to learn how to adopt a child in Tanzania, this post is for you.

Generally, one of the means which people can build a family in this world is through adoption.

The uniqueness of this way is that it does not involve biological processes but the court process.

Here you will learn

• The law governing adoption in Tanzania
• who is a child in Tanzania
• What is Adoption?
• Can you adopt Your Relative?
• Can a Foreigner Adopt a Tanzanian Child?
• How to Adopt a Child in Tanzania
• Conditions for a Foreigner to Adopt a Child in Tanzania
• Documents Required to Support Adoption Application
• Adoption Order & Adoption Certificate
• Effect of Adoption
• etc

let’s get started

Adoption Laws in Tanzania

The fundamental laws which govern adoption issues in Tanzania is Part VI of the Law of the Child Act, 2009 (The Law) and Adoption of the Child Regulations, 2011.

Who is a child in Tanzania?

According to Section 4 (1), the Law of the Child Act, 2009 A person below the age of eighteen years shall be known as a child.

What is Adoption?

According to Black’s Law Dictionary adoption is the creation of a parent-child relationship by judicial order between two parties who are unrelated; the relation of parent and child created by law between persons who are not, in fact, parent and child.

Can you adopt Your Relative?

The answer is yes. The law allows a child to be adopted by his/her relative. This kind of adoption is known as open adoption.

Can a Foreigner Adopt a Tanzanian Child?

Yes. The law allows a foreigner to adopt a child in Tanzania by following the prescribed requirements.

How to Adopt a Child in Tanzania

Generally, a person who wishes to adopt a child in Tanzania must file an application (petition) in the high court of Tanzania and in case of an open adoption can file his/her application in the Resident Magistrate Court or District Court.

Who May Apply For Adoption in Tanzania

Generally, an application for an adoption order may be made jointly by

1. a husband and his wife
2. Mother or father of the child alone or jointly with his spouse.
3. A single woman (must be a citizen of Tanzania)
4. A relative.

These people must be above twenty-five years of age and at least twenty-one years older than the child.

Conditions for a Foreigner to Adopt a Child in Tanzania

A person who is not a citizen of Tanzania may adopt a Tanzanian child, if

1. The child may not be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or be cared for in a manner suitable for the child’s best interest while the child is in Tanzania.
2. He/she has stayed in Tanzania for at least three consecutive years;
3. He/she has fostered the child for at least three months under the supervision of a social welfare officer.
4. He/she does not have any criminal record in his country of origin or any other country.
5. He/she has a recommendation concerning his suitability to adopt a child from his country’s social welfare officer and other competent authority of his permanent country of residence.
6. He has satisfied the court that his country of origin respects and recognizes the adoption order.