Intra-family adoption
Intra-family adoption counselling refers to a situation in which a spouse adopts a child of their spouse. The procedure is similar when a person in a registered partnership adopts their spouse’s child.
In intra-family adoption, the investigative work is not as extensive in all respects as in adoption counselling in general.
Intra-family adoption also requires the consent of the child’s biological parent living elsewhere, and the child is also provided with adoption counselling.
How to start the process
(Note: The forms are in Finnish)
- Fill in your personal details on the background check for parties to intra-family adoption electronically. Print, sign and send the form to your regional office by mail. You can find the contact details here. We use the form to determine your family situation and other factors that affect becoming an intra-family adoptive parent, so please take your time to fill in the details. After we have received your completed background check form by mail, our employees will contact you.
- Also fill in the consent form for requesting a statement from social services. Do not forget to send it together with your application.
- Order an official certificate for the applicant (adopting parent) and the child 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 biological parents/guardians of the child must be stated on the official certificate or register extract.
- Read the Privacy Policy for adoption counselling.
- Every adoptive parent must attend statutory adoption counselling. In the case of intra-family adoption, a key factor in assessing the realisation of the child’s interests is that the relationship between the adopting person and the child can be considered to be one between a child and a parent.
It is important that the child also receives adoption counselling. During counselling, the child’s opinions on the adoption are discussed and heard. The child is usually seen during a home visit.
The adoption is confirmed in the district court of your home municipality. At the end of the adoption counselling, the social worker prepares the necessary documents for the district court.
Adoption counselling
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.