The Swedish intercountry adoption system - a brief summary

Sweden ratified the Hague convention on protection of children and co-operation in respect of intercountry adoption in 1997. The Swedish Intercountry Adoptions Authority (MIA) is the central authority in general charge of adoptions from other countries. Both local authorities and authorised organisations are involved in intercountry adoption procedures. According to Swedish law, intercountry adoptions should preferably be performed through authorised non-profit organisations. MIA has also issued special conditions as to how this should be done. The organisations are authorized and supervised by MIA.

The role of the authorised organisation

Authorisation may be granted only to an organisation which has a regulation, a board and auditors. The authorisation may be granted only if the main purpose of the organisation is to provide intercountry adoption assistance and if it is clearly established that the organisation will provide such assistance in a competent and judicious manner.

Authorisation entitles the Swedish organisation to mediate applications for adoption from Swedish families already approved by local child welfare authorities. Mediation of applications refers to measures taken to establish contact between the person or persons wishing to adopt and authorities, organisations, institutions or private persons in the country where the child is domiciled, and otherwise providing the assistance needed in order for an adoption to take place.

The application from adoptive parents is first reviewed by FFIA to determine whether or not it can be forwarded to any of FFIA's contacts abroad, taking into consideration the laws and regulations of the country in question and other conditions specified by the counterparts. The adoptive families then receive assistance throughout the whole process with instructions, documents, information, preparation and travel arrangements. FFIA also take responsibility for follow-up reports and other post-adoption services.

The role of the local social welfare authorities

The social welfare authorities carry out a thorough investigation of families who wish to adopt a child. The home-study is carried out by a pro-fessional social worker from the local social welfare committee, and furnishes the documentation both for the decision to approve the family by the committee as well as for the application sent abroad. All pre-adoptive parents must have the consent of the local social welfare committee before they can apply to adopt a child.

It is the duty of the social welfare authority to make sure that the applicants are well prepared and have sufficient knowledge about the different aspects of adoption, before giving their consent. Preparatory parenting courses for adoptive parents are available through the social welfare authorities. A pre-adoptive course is mandatory prior to consent. The social welfare authority also has a special duty to look after the adopted children's need for support and assistance while they are growing up.

Legal formalities

Adoptions performed in accordance with the Hague convention are automatically valid in Sweden. Other adoptions must be validated by MIA or approved by a Swedish court of law, depending on whether or not the adoption has been completed in the child's country of origin. This procedure is usually finalised within a couple of months after the arrival of the child. Meanwhile the family is under the supervision of the local child welfare authority.

The child becomes a Swedish citizen when adoption formalities in Sweden are completed. Swedish law does not allow the cancellation of an adoption.

The adopted child has the same rights and status as children born into Swedish families. The policy also states that adoptive parents have the same rights as biological parents. Thus Swedish society extends the same legal and social rights to all children and their parents.