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Adopting from Finland

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Source: cia.gov.

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Source: cia.gov.

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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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.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 Finland

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It gained complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it successfully defended its independence through cooperation with Germany and resisted subsequent invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, Finland transformed from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro single currency at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland's modern welfare state are high quality education, promotion of equality, and a national social welfare system - currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.


Hague Convention Information

Finland is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, adoptions between Finland and the United States are governed by the requirements of the Convention and the laws and regulations implementing the Convention in both the United States and Finland.


The Department of State does not maintain files on the adoption process in Finland because adoptions from Finland are rare. Fewer than five adoptions by American citizen parents have taken place since 2000. Please visit the Department's Country Specific Information sheets for more information on travelling to Finland and the website of U.S. Embassy Helsinki for information on consular services.


The Finnish Board of Intercountry Adoption Affairs, of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is the Central Authority for the purposes of the Hague Adoption Convention in Finland. American Citizens living in Finland who wish to adopt from the U.S. or a third country should contact the the Finish Central Authority to learn about Finish requirements that may apply to their adoption. Contact information for the Finish Central Authority is available on their website.


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=finland