Revision as of 05:46, 10 April 2014

The official flag of Sweden.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Sweden.
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Map of Sweden.
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The official coat of arms of Sweden.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden.
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The Royal Palace in Stockholm City, Sweden .
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Kornhamnstorg, Sweden.
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Lulea, Sweden.
Source: flickr.com.

Don Quixote at Sweden .
Source: cia.gov.

Children in Sweden.
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Hague Convention Information

Sweden is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of the child’s country of origin.

Sweden is not generally considered a country of origin in intercountry adoption. There are few children eligible for adoption in Sweden. There is no national adoption waiting list system in Sweden; each municipality is individually responsible for finding homes for any child residing in its respective area. Most intercountry adoptions in Sweden are by legal residents of Sweden who adopt in third countries.

While legally possible, intercountry adoption of a Swedish orphan by foreigners is unlikely. A child residing in Sweden could be adopted to another country ONLY in the case that the foreign prospective adoptive parents were either relatives or other persons with pre-existing ties to the child. In either case, the relevant municipality would identify the child eligible for adoption before the prospective adoptive parents would initiate adoption proceedings in the receiving country.

No Swedish orphans have received U.S. immigrant visas in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in rare adoption cases from Sweden in which a Swedish child is adopted by relatives in the United States or by person(s) in the United States with other strong ties to the child, as well as adoptions from third countries by Americans living in Sweden.

Who Can Adopt

In addition to the U.S. requirements, Sweden requires prospective adoptive parents to meet the following Swedish requirements in order to adopt a child:

Residency

Adoptive parents must be Swedish citizens or legal permanent residents of Sweden in order to adopt in Sweden or from a third county.

Age of Adopting Parents

Any man or woman 25 years old or older, whether single or married, may adopt with the permission of the court. Persons ages 18-25 may also adopt if the adoption involves a related child, the biological or adoptive child of a spouse, or if special circumstances exist. The Swedish Social Services recommend that prospective adoptive parents should not be older than 42 when they submit an application for consent to adopt, but the law does not provide a maximum age.

Marriage

Spouses must adopt jointly. However, one of the spouses may adopt a child separately when the other spouse’s whereabouts are unknown or is suffering from a serious mental illness. One spouse may also, with the consent of the other spouse, adopt that spouse’s child. A single person may also adopt a child, but common-law spouses may not adopt jointly. Two persons of the same sex can adopt jointly if they live together as registered partners or as a married couple. However, many countries of origin do not allow adoption under these circumstances, which may limit the prospective adoptive parents’ options.

Income

None.

Other

All prospective adoptive parents residing in, or who are citizens of, Sweden must receive consent to adopt from the local Social Welfare Committee, which is based on a thorough investigation and home study where particular attention is given to the prospective adoptive parents’ knowledge and understanding of how to parent an adopted child, their age, health, employment, criminal background, personal qualities and social network. The consent is valid for two years. In addition, all such prospective adoptive parents must take part in a parental preparation course assigned by the municipality where they reside. This course must be completed in order for the investigation/home study to be initiated. The cost of the course varies but is approximately 2000 SEK = $250.

If non-residents of Sweden seek adoption of a related child residing in Sweden, the Social Welfare Committee in the area where the child is residing would conduct an investigation to determine if the adoption would be in the best interest of the child. The prospective adoptive parents would be evaluated by the appropriate authorities in their country of residence – in this case the United States.

Who Can Be Adopted

Because Sweden is party to The Hague Adoption Convention, children from Sweden must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the adoption may take place only if the competent authorities of Sweden have determined that placement of the child within Sweden has been given due consideration and that an intercountry adoption is in the child’s best interests. In addition to Sweden’s requirements, a child must meet the definition of Convention adoptee to be eligible for an immigrant visa that will allow you to bring him or her to the United States.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

For specific requirements under Swedish adoption law, please contact Sweden’s Adoption Authority listed under the contact section of this flyer.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Process

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Sweden. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.

Obtaining Your Visa

In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Sweden, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.

Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Sweden, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

After Adoption

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

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information