Adoption in France is codified in the French Civil Code in two distinct forms: simple adoption and plenary adoption.

Simple adoption

Simple adoption is a type of adoption which allows some of the legal bonds between an adopted child and his or her birth family to remain. It is formalized under articles 343 and following of the French Civil Code. Simple adoption is less restrictive in its requirements and less radical in effects than plenary adoption.

Requirements for adoption

Consequences

Age of adoptee

Plenary adoption

Plenary adoption is an alternate form of adoption which terminates the relationship between birth parent and child. Thus, all rights and status which the child may have had from the birth family are revoked and replaced with the rights and status granted by the adopting family. The term "plenary adoption" distinguishes it from the other form of adoption practised in France, simple adoption, which allows some of the legal bonds between an adopted child and his or her birth family to remain.