Adopting from Iceland
Contents
Hague Convention Information
Iceland is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ([ http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.phpHague Adoption Convention]). Therefore all adoptions between Iceland and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
Iceland is not considered a country of origin in inter-country adoption. While legally possible, inter-country adoption of an Icelandic orphan by foreigners is unlikely. No Icelandic orphans have received U.S. immigrant visas in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from Iceland, including adoptions of Icelandic children by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by Americans living in Iceland.
Who Can Adopt
Adoption between the United States and Iceland is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Iceland, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more.
In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Iceland also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:
Residency
Prospective adoptive parents must be residents of Iceland or "have a special connection to the country" to be allowed to adopt children in Iceland.
Age of Adopting Parents and Marriage
Applicants must be at least 25 years old, but not more than 45 years old. Married couples or a male and a female that have lived together in a proxy marriage (cohabitation registered with the National Registry) for at least 5 years can adopt together. One of the married individuals or a male/female in a proxy marriage can adopt the partner's child or foster child with the partner's permission. One of the married individuals or a male/female in a proxy marriage can adopt a child without the partner's permission if the partner has vanished or his/her mental state would impede the adoption process. Individuals can adopt children in special circumstances and if the adoption benefits the welfare of the child. Same-sex couples can adopt (since 2006) as long as they fulfill all other requirements, such as length of marriage/ proxy marriage, age, health and no criminal record.
Income
Financially able to support a family.
Other
Applicants must be in good mental and physical state and must not have a criminal record.
Who Can Be Adopted
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Process
Traveling Abroad
After Adoption
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information