Discontinuing the adoption process

Withdrawing an adoption permit application

If you have an application for an adoption permit pending in the Adoption Board and you want to discontinue the adoption process, notify the Adoption Board of the discontinuation.

Write the notification on paper and explain in it that you want to discontinue the adoption process. Make sure that the notification contains the following information about the prospective adopter or both prospective adopters:

  • first name and last name
  • personal identity code
  • date
  • signature
  • printed name.

Take a photo of the notification or scan it.

Use the form Supplement to the adoption case (in Finnish or Swedish) to send the notification to the Adoption Board. Add the photo or scan you have taken of the notification as an attachment to the form.

The Adoption Board can process only notifications containing the signatures and printed names of both prospective adopters.

Discontinuing the adoption process after the adoption permit has been granted

If you have a valid adoption permit and you want to discontinue the adoption process, notify the Adoption Board of the discontinuation.

Write the notification on paper and explain in it that you want to discontinue the adoption process and that the adoption permit can be cancelled. Make sure that the notification contains the following information about the prospective adopter or both prospective adopters:

  • first name and last name
  • personal identity code
  • date
  • signature
  • printed name.

Take a photo of the notification or scan it.

Use the form Supplement to the adoption case (in Finnish or Swedish) to send the notification to the Adoption Board. Add the photo or scan you have taken of the notification as an attachment to the form.

Under the Administrative Procedure Act, if the prospective adopters’ notification of discontinuing the adoption process does not have the signature of both prospective adopters, the Adoption Board must consult both prospective adopters before making the decision to cancel the adoption permit.

Contact information

By email: [email protected]

Submit the data for your adoption permit application to the Finnish Adoption Board using the secure forms. The use of the secure form is the fastest way to submit data related to adoption applications to the Finnish Adoption Board.

By mail:
Finnish Adoption Board
P.O. Box 40
13035 LVV

Please note that when using a post office box address, there will be a delay as the post office box is located in the registry of the Finnish Supervisory Agency in Hämeenlinna, from where the mail is delivered by post to the Finnish Adoption Board in Helsinki.

The Finnish Adoption Board’s visiting address (visits must be agreed on separately):
Ratapihantie 9
00520 Helsinki

Irene Pärssinen-Hentula  
Manager, Chair of the Adoption Board 
[email protected] 
+358 295 255 136 

Taija Jokimaa-Frusti  
Senior Officer, Deputy Chair of the Adoption Board  
[email protected]  
+358 295 254 791

Päivi Pietarila  
Senior Officer, Secretary of the Adoption Board
[email protected]  
+358 295 255 503

Louna Dunkel 
Senior Officer, Secretary of the Adoption Board
[email protected]
+358 295 254 035