Apply to become an adoptive parent

Adoption counselling is provided by wellbeing services counties and Save the Children Finland’s regional services. Check your local adoption counselling service provider from your wellbeing services county’s social services.

If Save the Children Finland offers adoption counselling in your area, you can find information on how to start the process in the instructions below.

How to start the process

(Note: The forms are in Finnish)

1) Learn more about adoption counselling on our website and watch a video lecture  on adoption counselling (approx. 20 minutes, in Finnish). After reviewing the materials, you will have an idea of what it means to become an adoptive parent and receive adoption counselling.

2) Fill in your personal details on the background check for adoption applicants electronically. Print, sign and send the form to your regional office by mail. You can find the contact details here. Please note that both adoption applicants must sign a background check.

We use the form to determine your family situation and other factors that affect becoming an adoptive parent, so please fill in your details with care. After we have received your completed background check form by mail, our employees will contact you.

3) Also fill in the consent form for requesting a statement from social services. Do not forget to send it together with your application.

4) Order an official certificate for both applicants from the parish or a population register extract from the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency (tel. +358 (0)295 536 230, email vtj-todistus@dvv.fi). The official certificate or register extract must show the spouse’s information, any previous marriages and children. If there are no children, this must also be indicated. In addition, the religious community must be mentioned if the applicant belongs to one.

5) Read the adoption counselling Privacy Policy.

6) Every adoptive parent must attend statutory adoption counselling. In the beginning of adoption counselling, the suitability of candidates (incl. age, socioeconomic status and health) to become adoptive parents is assessed. Their capability to raise an adopted child is discussed throughout the counselling process.

Following the adoption counselling process, the social worker will complete a report on the applicants and their personal circumstances, background, motivation for seeking to adopt and capacity to act as parents. This is known as a home study. After this, the family can ask the Adoption Board for a permission to adopt.

Welcome to adoption counselling!