Adoption

The purpose of adoption is to promote the welfare of a child by creating a child-parent relationship between the adoptee and the prospective adopter.

In all decisions and other measures concerning the adoption of a minor child, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration. Particular attention shall be paid in assessments of the best interests of the child to how a child who cannot grow up in his or her family of origin can best be ensured a permanent family as well as balanced development and wellbeing.

Finnish Adoption Board

The Finnish Adoption Board is a special expert, permission and supervisory authority in adoption matters and is the Central Authority referred to in The Hague Adoption Convention.

The Adoption Board grants permission for both domestic and intercountry adoptions. The Adoption Board also licenses intercountry adoption service providers and supervises their operations. Read more about the duties of the Adoption Board.

Basically, permission from the Adoption Board must be applied for by anyone who wishes to adopt a child under 18 years of age. This requirement applies to both domestic and intercountry adoptions.

An adoption permission is not required for domestic adoptions if the adoptee is a child of the applicant’s spouse (intra-family adoption) or a child who has been cared for and brought up by the prospective adopter in an established manner., for instance as a foster child.