About the Finnish Adoption Board

The Adoption Board is a special expert, licensing and supervisory authority in adoption matters and is the national Central Authority referred to in the Hague Adoption Convention. The Adoption Board is an independent authority based at the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

The Adoption Board monitors developments in adoption operations in Finland and issues adoption permissions to adoption applicants for both domestic and intercountry adoptions. The Adoption Board also licenses intercountry adoption service providers and supervises their operations.

The Finnish Government appoints the Adoption Board for a maximum term of five years at a time. The Board has a chairperson, a deputy chairperson and members representing various fields of expertise. Each member has a designated deputy member. The current Adoption Board began its five year term of service on 1 July 2022. See the members of the Adoption Board.

The Board meets at plenary sessions and sectional meetings. The plenary session monitors developments in adoption matters and publishes initiatives on adoption issues as necessary. Other matters in the Adoption Board’s jurisdiction are dealt with by the Section for Adoption Permission Matters, which handles adoption permissions, and the Section for International Matters, which discharges the duties of Finland’s Central Authority.