Children in Mali: adoption, delegating parental authority, child travel document, selling a minor's property

Leaving a child in a relative's care, adopting, travelling with a child in the region or selling property that belongs to them: in Mali almost all of these go through the civil court, except the travel document, issued by the Border Police. This page draws on the four sheets of the government procedures portal, which refer to the Code of Persons and the Family.

Key points (checked on 18 October 2026)

• Protective adoption: apply to the child protection service, which refers the case to court; judgment 2 to 3 months later; deposit of 7,500 to 12,000 FCFA.
• Delegation of parental authority: only by civil court judgment; deposit of 7,500 to 10,000 FCFA.
• ECOWAS travel document for a child under 18: at the Border Police Directorate, with the child, issued in 24 hours.
• Selling a minor's property: court permission, about 45 days, 7,000 FCFA deposit.

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Protective adoption

Under article 522 of the Code of Persons and the Family, quoted by the portal, any person of good character may adopt one or more children, either to provide the care, education and protection they need, or to have descendants. Protective adoption (adoption-protection) is the first case: the child keeps all rights in their birth family (parentage, inheritance), but the kinship created by adoption extends to their own children.

Where to apply:

• adoption within Mali: the child protection service, the regional directorate for the Promotion of Children and the Family;
• intercountry adoption: the central authority, the National Directorate for the Promotion of Children and the Family.

After an investigation, that service refers the case to the civil court. Proceedings take place in chambers, with the public prosecutor, the adopter and the child protection representative present; judgment is given in open court.

Protective adoption can be revoked by the same procedure, at the request of the adopter, the adoptee if at least 15, the public prosecutor, child protection officers or anyone with an interest.

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Delegating parental authority

This lets someone other than the father and mother exercise parental authority over a minor, for example an uncle or aunt raising the child in Bamako while the parents live abroad. No waiver or transfer of parental authority has any effect without a judgment (articles 585 onwards of the Code).

• Parents, together or separately, can ask the judge for partial or full delegation to an individual or a specialised educational institution.
• The person or institution caring for the child can also apply if the parents show a clear lack of interest or can no longer exercise their authority.
• Both parents are always summoned. A new judgment can end or transfer the delegation.
• The right to consent to the child's adoption can never be delegated.

Documents: an application to the president of the civil court where the child lives, the child's birth certificate extract, the delegating parent's written consent where applicable, proof of the delegate's sufficient income and an ID document. Cost: deposit of 7,500 to 10,000 FCFA depending on the court.

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Child travel document (ECOWAS area)

The official portal describes a travel document serving as exit authorisation for children aged 0 to 18, valid in the ECOWAS area, created by decree no. 01-534/P-RM of 1 November 2001.

• Where: the children's travel document office at the Border Police Directorate (Ministry of Security, ACI 2000), with the child present, whose fingerprints are taken.
• Documents: copy of the guardian's passport or ID card, 3 photos of the guardian, 3 photos of the child, copy of the child's birth certificate extract, form provided on site, two tax stamps of 500 and 1,000 FCFA.
• Time: 24 hours.

For travel outside the ECOWAS area, the child needs a passport: see our Malian passport page. Mali's withdrawal from ECOWAS, together with Burkina Faso and Niger, took effect on 29 January 2025 (Encyclopædia Britannica); the official sheet has not been updated on this point, so check with the Border Police before travelling.

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Selling property that belongs to a minor

Property inherited by a child (land, a house) can only be sold with court permission.

1. The file is lodged with the court president's office, which issues a deposit order.
2. The president sets a hearing date; proceedings take place in chambers. The court hears the applicant on the benefit to the child and their real motives, and may hear relatives.
3. The judge grants or refuses permission and writes the judgment within 15 days; a refusal can be appealed.

Documents: application with a 200 FCFA stamp to the court president, the property document, the consent of one parent if the parents live together, the guardianship record and the family council's deliberation record submitted for approval. Cost: 7,000 FCFA deposit. Time: about 45 days depending on the court's workload. To check a land title before the sale, see our land title page.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you adopt a child in Mali?

By applying to the regional directorate for the Promotion of Children and the Family (or the national directorate for an intercountry adoption), which investigates and then refers the case to the civil court. Judgment follows 2 to 3 months after filing.

Can a parent living abroad leave their child with a relative in Bamako?

Yes, through a delegation of parental authority granted by the civil court. A simple letter is not enough: no transfer of parental authority has effect without a judgment. See also our page on Malians abroad.

How long does a child travel document take?

24 hours at the Border Police Directorate, coming with the child and two tax stamps of 500 and 1,000 FCFA.

Can land inherited by a child be sold?

Only with court permission, after the family council has given its view; allow about 45 days and a 7,000 FCFA deposit.

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Official sources (checked on 18 October 2026)

• Government of Mali, procedures portal: Protective adoption (French), Delegation of parental authority (French), Travel document for under-18s, ECOWAS area (French) and Permission to sell a minor's property (French).