I wish to adopt a child
Adoptive parenthood is special
Adoptive parents are expected to be able to build a lifelong, caring and warm relationship with their child. An adopted child needs well-coached parents who, in terms of their age, health, life situation and resources, have the opportunity to offer the child a safe and good childhood and adolescence and to form a lifelong relationship.
Under the Adoption Act, the same requirements apply to domestic and intercountry adoption. According to the Finnish Adoption Act (Adl 22/2012), applicants for adoption must be:
- A married couple or single applicant residing permanently in Finland. According to the Adoption Act, the child should primarily be placed in the family of two parents.
- At least 25 and under 50 years of age. The age difference between the adoptee and the adoption applicant may not exceed 45 years if the adoptee is a minor. There are exceptions to the age limits for intra-family adoptions.
Intercountry adoptions are also regulated by the legislation of the child’s country of birth and the requirements set by the adoption authorities.
Adoption counselling
The adoption process begins with statutory adoption counselling. In adoption counselling, a social worker assesses the applicants’ circumstances and readiness for adoptive parenthood and provides information and coaching.
The themes of discussion during adoption counselling include the applicants’ motives, personal histories, current life situation, relationship, other social networks, experiences of bereavement, issues concerning upbringing as well as the specialness and health of the child to be adopted along with other necessary matters.
The discussions are an opportunity for the applicants to process their understanding of adopted children and parenting and the prospect of an open adoption, which refers to maintaining contact with the child’s birth family. The applicants are also informed about the child’s right to access their own personal information and the role that this information plays in the development of their identity.
At the end of the adoption counselling, the social worker drafts a report on the provision of adoption counselling (so-called home study), which contains information about the applicants and their life situation, background, motives for adoption and readiness to raise a child. Based on the documents, the Board may grant permission for domestic or intercountry adoption.
Domestic and intercountry adoption counselling lasts 1–2 years, depending on the family situation.
Adoption permission
After the adoption counselling is completed and the documents have been prepared, the persons wishing adopt a child will apply for a permission for a domestic or intercountry adoption. The application for a permission is processed by the Adoption Board’s permission division that operates under the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). The adoption permission is valid for two years and, if necessary, can be extended for two years at a time.
In domestic adoptions, the application for permission is made under the guidance of the party providing adoption counselling. Applying for an adoption permission for intercountry adoption requires for the adoption applicants to be customers of one of the two adoption service providers in Finland: Interpedia and Save the Children Finland’s Intercountry Adoption Service.
Child proposal
Adoptive parents receive known background information about the child, their health and the reasons that led to adoption. The information helps the adoptive parents to understand the biological parents’ solution, communicate information to the child about their background and openly answer the child’s questions about it.
The child has the right to information about themselves and the responsibility for providing the information lies primarily with the adoptive parents. It is important for children to be aware of their own background from a young age. The child also has the right to contact their biological parents
Adoption of the child
In domestic adoptions, the child is placed in a family that has been granted permission via either the Save the Children Finland’s adoption office or the wellbeing service county’s social services. In intercountry adoptions, the child arrives via an intercountry adoption service.
When the child has joined the family, the adoption counselling continues as free-of-charge support for the family. The objective is to support and help the adopted child and parents in their new life situation and in the different stages of the child’s growth and development. In addition, a statutory assessment of the need for support is conducted on the family, and they are also provided with or referred to other social and health care services.
Apply to become an adoptive parent
An adopted child needs well-coached parents who, in terms of their life situation and resources, must have good opportunities to offer the child a safe and good life. Read more about how to start the process of adoption counsellin
Adoption couselling
Adoption counselling for domestic and intercountry adoptions is available at all of our regional offices.
Our employees are happy to provide more information and help. Don’t hesitate to contact us.
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