Refusal to authorize placement for adoption by a single person

Facts

Ms. [B.], a single woman aged 36, applied for authorization to welcome a child with a view to adopting. The Youth Protection Service of the Canton of Vaud refused this request, on the grounds that Ms. B.'s situation, as she works full-time as a midwife at the hospital, did not meet the necessary requirements for the child's well-being and optimal development. The Cantonal Appeals Commission dismissed Ms. B.'s appeal against this decision. Ms. [B.] then filed a public law appeal against the decision of the Cantonal Appeals Commission. The Federal Tribunal dismissed this appeal, considering that the refusal to authorize the placement for adoption was justified in view of the conditions provided for by law.

Considerations

The Federal Tribunal considered that, although Art. 264b para. 1 CC allows an unmarried person aged 35 or over to adopt alone, joint adoption by spouses is generally the rule, while adoption by a single person is the exception.…