Revision as of 05:39, 10 April 2014

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

Map of Sweden.
Source: cia.gov.

Map of Sweden.
Source: cia.gov.

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

Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The Royal Palace in Stockholm City, Sweden .
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Kornhamnstorg, Sweden.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Lulea, Sweden.
Source: flickr.com.

Don Quixote at Sweden .
Source: cia.gov.

Children in Sweden.
Source: flickr.com.

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

Residency

Age of Adopting Parents

Marriage

Income

Other

Who Can Be Adopted

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