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Adopting from Lithuania

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Island castle of Trakai.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Collage of capital city Vilnius.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Vilnius Old Town.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Old Town Kaunas.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The Hill of Crosses.
Source: Wikipedia.org.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Lithuania

Lithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. To learn more please read About Lithuania.


Hague Convention Information

Lithuania is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Lithuania and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about Lithuania and the Hague Convention.


Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Lithuania is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Lithuania, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Lithuania.


Who Can Be Adopted

Because Lithuania is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Lithuania must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Lithuania.


How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Lithuania's Adoption Authority

The State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service


The Process

Because Lithuania is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Lithuania must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements.


Note: If you filed your I-600a with Lithuania before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.


  1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
  5. Adopt the Child in Lithuania
  6. Bring your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from Lithuania.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Lithuania. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Lithuania.


After Adoption

What does Lithuania require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?

Lithuania does not have any post-adoption requirements.


What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children


NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Lithuania

Akmenu 6 Vilnius, Lithuania Tel: 011-370-5-266-5500 Fax: 011-370-5-266-5590 Email: consec@state.gov Internet: U.S Embassy Lithuania


Lithuania's Adoption Authority

The State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service Ministry of Social Security and Labour: Sodu g. 15 LT-03211 Vilnius, Lithuania Tel: 370-5-231-0928 Fax: 370-5-231-0927 Email: info@ivaikinimas.lt


Embassy of Lithuania

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania 2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 302 Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: (202) 234-5860 Fax: (202) 328-0466 Email: info@ltembassyus.org


Lithuania also has consulates in Chicago and New York.


Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)


SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=lithuania