ADOPTING FROM GREECE

August 19, 2002

Originally Posted By Sharon

You are going to find it very difficult to adopt from Greece. In 2000, only 4 Greek children entered the U.S. on adoption visas.

The problems are mainly on the Greek side. First off, there are very few available children, and there is a long waiting list of prospective parents who live in Greece. So unless you are adopting a relative or wish to adopt a child with serious special needs, you could wind up waiting years.

Second, Greece generally allows adoption only by Greek citizens or people of Greek origin who reside in Greece. This may or may not apply to your husband.

You will, of course, need to ensure that the child is eligible to come in to the U.S. on an orphan visa, even if you are able to complete an adoption on the Greek side. The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act is pretty strict in its definition of who constitutes an eligible orphan. If you find a married couple willing to relinquish a newborn, for example, you will not be able to get an orphan visa for the child.

There is a good discussion of Greek adoption law and U.S. immigration procedures on the website of the U.S. State Department. Go to Then go to the bottom of the page and click on Greece.

The website gives a list of U.S. and Greek organizations and individuals who may be able to assist you, and who can provide you with additional information.