In the Netherlands, couples may choose between a number of legal options once they have decided to live together. A cohabitation agreement sets out the commitments entered into by the partners. Cohabitation is not regulated by law, in contrast to marriage and, since 1 January 1998, registered domestic partnership.
On 1 April 2001, new legislation made it possible for same-sex partners to marry. The Netherlands became the first country in which both heterosexual and homosexual couples can marry under civil law. The conditions for marriage are the same for heterosexual and homosexual couples.
On 1 April 2001, new legislation allowing adoption by same-sex couples came into effect, providing legal protection to children raised in lasting relationships between two men or two women. The partners need not be married or registered partners. The law applies only to children who live in the Netherlands.
To adopt children from abroad, prospective parents must be of different sexes and married. The basic premise continues to be that a child cannot have more than two official parents (that is, people with whom it has a relationship under family law). For example, once a child is adopted by its motherís female partner, it can no longer be acknowledged by the natural father. Above all, adoption must be in the interests of the child.
