“Finally legitimacy!” : after five years of procedures, Valérie is recognized as the mother of his children

After five years of legal proceedings, Valérie has just received the adoption certificate from the court: she is officially the mother of the three children she had with her ex-wife Sandrine, who carried them.

“A huge relief, a liberation and finally legitimacy!” When Valérie* received the adoption certificate for her 10-year-old daughter and her 6-year-old twins , she didn't believe it right away. “I had to reread the document three times ,” she says, still moved after these five years of having to prove that having these three children was indeed her project too.

In 2018, Sandrine, his ex-wife and biological mother of the three children, decided to divorce a few days before the end of the full adoption process so that Valérie would also be recognized as a mother. Sandrine no longer wants her to be.

Then began five years of procedures, files to fill out, extracts of their steps to undertake PMA in Spain - even before the legalization of Marriage for All in 2013 and PMA (medically assisted procreation) for all in 2022 - at find and provide justice.

The family record book is complete

A few days ago, this long wait ended. Valérie now has a say in the health and education of her children. “The older one will enter 6th grade and the little ones will enter CP, so it’s an important moment for them and for me. I will be able to follow their development, be informed of school trips ,” she rejoices.

Under his name, on his family record, will appear that of his three children. His will also be added to theirs. “The French state recognizes adoption. The children will be able to have both of our names. The grown-up already signed her drawings with both names and for her everything is normal . ”

Amendment to the bioethics law

It was also with her older sister that she expressed her emotion, several days after receiving the letter. "Cute, she gave me a hug and said 'that's it, you've adopted us, finally!'" The end of this long process should also allow the children "to let go of this pressure and take back their place." 'child' , smiles Valérie.

She is telling their story in a book. In France, many parents have been faced with this same limit. An amendment to the bioethics law of 2022 allows them to adopt without the consent of the biological parent, until 2025, their children. The law on PMA for all  now recognizes parental rights for “social” mothers, that is to say those who are not biological.

*First names have been changed.