Domestic adoption

First, request adoption counselling from your wellbeing services county or adoption agency

Adoption counselling is mandatory in all domestic adoptions, regardless of whether you are adopting a specific child (for example, a child living in your family) or a child with whom you have no family relationship or other ties. In adoption counselling, a social worker specialised in adoption issues will provide you with information on adoption and training on adoptive parenthood as well as prepare a report on your circumstances and suitability as a prospective adopter.  

Ask for adoption counselling from the family law services unit of your wellbeing services county or a licensed adoption agency (Save the Children Finland). The contact information for adoption counselling can be found here. Check with your wellbeing services county which operator provides the counselling. Adoption counselling is a free social service.  

Apply for a permit for domestic adoption from the Adoption Board

When your adoption counselling has ended, you must apply for an adoption permit from the Adoption Board. The Adoption Board grants a permit for a maximum of two years at a time. You can apply for an extension before the permit expires. The applying for a permit is free of charge. 

If you do not have an adoption permit, you are not allowed to take a child with you for adoption purposes. The adoption counsellor may not place a child with you for adoption purposes unless you have an adoption permit. 

However, an adoption permit is not required for the adoption of an adult over the age of 18 or for domestic intrafamily adoption. The Adoption Board does not process these adoptions, but the confirmation of adoption is applied for directly from the District Court. However, you are required to attend the statutory adoption counselling for intrafamily adoption.