To be able to adopt a non-relative child, it necessary to be approved for adoption by the Family Law Administration.

When applying to be approved for adopting a foreign or Faroese/Danish child, an application for approval to adopt must be sent to the Family Law Administration. The application form is available upon request.

The following documents must be included in the application for each applicant:

• A copy of birth certificate and name/baptism certificate.
• Copy of marriage certificate (if married).
• Annual tax returns for the last 3 years from the Tax Authorities (TAKS).
• Summary of applicant's income so far this year from TAKS.
• Copy of the certificate from TAKS regarding applicant's tax status.
• Health certificate*.
• Medical certificate* (Note: Must not be older than 3 months when the application is submitted).
• Overview of assets and liabilities (Asset Statement) *.
• Overview of financial situation (Financial Overview) *.

*The forms for the health certificate, medical certificate, asset statement, and financial overview are available upon request. 

Please note that the medical certificate must be completed by the applicant's general practitioner. The medical certificate cannot be older than 3 months when the application is submitted. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the medical certificate. 

Please note that the application is not considered submitted until the certificates, forms and etc. mentioned above are submitted to the Family Law Administration.

Once the Family Law Administration has received the application of approval as adoptive parents, they will request information:

• From the Department of Social Services (Almannaverkið) regarding any outstanding debts to the Department of Social Services. Additionally, information regarding the involvement of the applicant's in any cases handled by social services within the last 5 years – including details of any assistance received and when.
• An extended criminal record check, including possible sentences and police reports.
• A complete house overview from the National People Register (Landsfólkayvirlitið).

In addition to the mentioned request, the Family Law Administration also asks:

• The Child Welfare Service (Barnaverndartænastan) for an assessment if Child Welfare Services object to granting you permission for 24-hour care in private foster care (foster care license)

If applicants have children, The Family Law Administration also requests:

• The institution/school/health nurse for an evaluation on how the child/children interact with other children and adults, along with an assessment of their physical and mental well-being, and how long they are at the institution or school during the days.

Please note that in the application form applicants can consent to the collection of, among others, the abovementioned information.

Once the Family Law Administration has received the necessary information and obtained the required details, applicants will be summoned to a meeting with a legal adviser at the Family Law Administration.

During the meeting, questions will be asked about the given information and overall circumstances. Guidance will also be provided regarding the further approval process.

Afterward, applicants are required to participate in an adoption preparation course (if applicants have not previously adopted).

Subsequently, a social worker from the Family Law Administration will visit the applicant's/applicants home to assess whether the applicant/applicants have the necessary skills to adopt. The social worker provides an individual assessment of the adoption readiness of the applicant/applicants.

The individual assessment by the social worker, the application, and the gathered information will then be presented to the Adoption council (Ættleiðingarsamráðið), which provides a preliminary assessment of whether the applicant/applicants should be approved for adopting. Finally, the Family Law Administraion makes a decision in the case.

In the assessment and approval process, firstly, specific approval criteria are examined to determine if applicants meet certain approval requirements. Then, it is assessed whether applicants are otherwise deemed suitable to foster an adopted child. The adoption preparation course falls between these stages.

Please note that it is a fundamental requirement for adoption that the adoption can be considered in the best interest of the child.

The assessment and approval process and its criteria can be described in these stages:

General and objective conditions of examination and approval

The general and objective conditions of approval that applicants must meet are:

• Adopters, who wish to adopt together, must have lived together for at least 2 ½ years.
• Physical and mental health should not limit the possibility for the adoption process to be the best for the child.
• Applicants must have a suitable home to raise a child in.
• Applicants must have stable finances.
• Applicants must not have been convicted for actions that raise a reasonable doubt about the capability to adopt.
• There must be a maximum age difference of 42 years between adopter and the child. However, applicants must have attained the age of 25. 

If applicants do not meet the mentioned criteria, the Family Law Administration may decide to reject an application for approval as an adoptive parent without further closely examining the case.

The Adoption Council (Ættleiðingarsamráðið) submits a recommendation to The Family Law Administration for use in such decisions.

If applicants meet the mentioned criteria, the Family Law Administration proceeds with the approval process without presenting the case to the Adoption Council. The next stage is the adoption preparation course.

The Adoption Preparation course

If applicants have not previously adopted a child, and the abovementioned conditions are met, the next step is participation in an adoption preparation course. The course is an integral part of the assessment and approval process. The course takes place before the assessment of whether applicants are suitable as adoptive parents.

The course is free and is organized and offered by Gigni (Public Health). The course lasts approx. 15 hours, with each session lasting around 2-4 hours. Classes are held at Gigni and at applicants' home. The course must be completed within one month after the Family Law Administration has determined that an applicant meets the objective criteria for approval – this is to ensure that the processing of the application is not unnecessarily delayed.

The aim of the course is to ensure that applicants engage in self-reflection regarding reasons for adopting and parenting abilities - and to help applicants understand the unique situation that the adopted child faces. Emphasis is also on the life as an adoptive parent, the journey to the decision to adopt, the significance of childlessness, the longing for a child, relationships, and the stories encountered, as well as upbringing and ability to form bonds. In addition to this, attention is given to the life of an adoptive family, the child's birth parents and origin, the child's life before adoption, the importance of attachment for the child, and how adoptive parents and the adopted child can establish a good connection.

For further information on the adoption preparation course, visit the website www.gigni.fo. Here it is also possible to register for the course. More detailed information will be given when applicants are invited to their first meeting with the Family Law Administration. Once the adoption preparation course is completed, the Family Law Administration must be informed and the certificate of completion must be sent to us. Then the next stage of the approval process begins, where applicants are assessed as to whether they otherwise are capable of raising an adopted child.

Please note that the course and the assessment of the Family Law Administration are partitioned to ensure that the course can become a safe space for applicants to share thoughts and ideas about adoption. The course organizers are subject to confidentiality.

Ability to adopt

After the adoption preparation course is completend and the Family Law Administration are informed, applicants'  ability to adopt will be assessed. The Family Law Administration provides an individual description of the ability to adopt, where adoption skills are outlined. Because to be approved for adoption, a comprehensive assessment must determine the suitability to care for and nurture an adopted child. The assessment is based, among other things, on the written individual description that the social worker at the Family Law Administration compiles following the home visit. The description outlines desires to adopt, personality traits, interests, plans for the future, household dynamics, knowledge, and thoughts about children, etc.

The Family Law Administration concludes the assessment and approval process based on the given information, including the individual description, determining whether applicants meet the objective criteria to adopt and whether applicants are considered capable of raising an adopted child. The Adoption Council provides recommendations to the Family Law Administration for this decision.

If applicants are found to meet the objective criteria, have participated in the adoption preparation course, and found suitable to raise an adopted child, a decision will be made to approve the applicants as adoptive parents.

Validity period of approval

Approval as an adoptive parent is valid for 4 years from the date the decision of approval is made.

If approved adopters have not been offered a child for adoption within 4 years, it is possible to apply for an extension of the approval. The Family Law Administration may decide to extend an approval for 2 years and the approval can be extended until applicants are at most 47 years older than the child.

Single applicants may be approved to adopt.

A single applicant will be subjected to the same examination and approval process as couples.

When assessing the applicant's ability to adopt emphasis will be placed on the specific capabilities that qualify the applicant to care for a child alone. Special attention will be given to an applicant's bond with family and acquaintances.

International adoption is the adoption of a child born in a country other than the Faroe Islands or Denmark. There should not be close ties between the child's parents and the adoptive parents.

To be able to adopt a child, it is necessary to be approved for adoption by the Family Law Administration. The Adoption Council (Ættleiðingarsamráðið) makes a recommendation to The Family Law Administration on whether applicants can be approved to adopt. The Family Law Administration then decides whether applicants will be approved for adoption. For more information on the approval process and the conditions for approval click on the sections above. 

The child will usually be mediated through the Danish National Board of Appeals (Ankestyrelsen). The Family Law Administration will process the application. Once an applicant has been approved for adoption, the Family Law Administration can upon request send the case to the Danish National Board of Appeals.

The application form for adoption approval is available upon request. 

Domestic adoption is the adoption of a child that resides in the Danish Realm.

The adoption is usually confidential. And the adoptive parents do not know the child’s parents and vice versa.

In order to adopt a child in the Danish Realm, it is necessary first to be approved as an adoptive parent.

The Adoption Council (Ættleiðingarsamráðið) makes recommendations to The Family Law Administration regarding whether applicants can be approved for adoption. The Family Law Administration then decides whether applicants will be approved to adopt.

If applicants are approved for adoption, the Family Law Administration sends the case to the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet).

Learn more about domestic adoption on the website of the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet) here.

Foreign children

The mediation of foreign adoptive children to approved adoptive parents is carried out by the the Danish National Board of Appeals (Ankestyrelsen). The Board of Appeals informs approved adoptive parents about the child that is a proposed match.

When adoptive parents need to decide whether they want to adopt a specific child, they can request guidance from a qualified paediatrician employed by the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet).

On the website of the Adoption Board, you can see which paediatricians you can seek guidance from.

Children born in the Danish Realm

The mediation of adoptive children born in the Danish Realm to approved adoptive parents is carried out by the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet).

The Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet) informs approved adopted parents about the child that is a proposed match.

When adoptive parents need to decide whether they want to adopt a specific child, they can request guidance from a qualified paediatrician employed by the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet).

On the website of the Adoption Board, you can see which paediatricians you can seek guidance from.

1-3 months before bringing the child home, parents will attend 3 hours of adoption counselling.

Heilsutrygd (National Health Insurance), Gigni, organizes and provides counselling through counsellors affiliated with Heilsutrygd, Gigni.

The purpose of the counselling is to lay the groundwork for a good start to the new life as a family and provide guidance tailored to the specific family and its specific needs - and hopefully ensure good conditions for the upbringing of the child.

Please note that counselling is mandatory. Mandatory counselling means that everyone has the same requisites when adopting. It is understood that counselling is available to ensure what is best for the child. Counselling is therefore not demanded because there are problems present in the individual adoption.

After the Family Law Administration has received notification from the adoption agency that the child is ready to be brought home, the Family Law Administration contacts Gigni, which subsequently contacts the parents to schedule the time of the adoption counselling.

Further information can be found on the Gigni website, www.gigni.fo. 

Registering in the National People Register (Fólkayvirlitið)
Parents must register the child in the National Register in their municipality. For more information regarding which documents to fill out, contact the municipality concerned.

Medical examination of the child
When the child arrives in the Faroe Islands, it is recommended that a general practitioner examines the child – including testing for MRSA (bacterium with antibiotic resistance).

Adoption Leave
Parents have the right to take adoption leave. The Family Law Administration requires parents to take the leave with the child after the child has been brought home.

Find further information about the right to maternity/paternity allowance on www.barsil.fo. 

Adoption support
Parents are entitled to adoption support if they have adopted a foreign child. Parents need to complete and submit an application for adoption support.

Read more on adoption support and find the application form on www.av.fo. A copy of the confirmation of arrival from the Family Law Administration must be enclosed in the application.

Child benefit
Single adoptive parents are entitled to child benefit from the Department of Social Services (Almannaverkið) after having adopted a child.

The application form is called “Umsókn um serligt barnaískoyti” (Application for special child benefit) and can be found on www.av.fo. 

Counselling shortly after the child is brought home

1-3 months after the child is brought home, parents must receive adoption counselling for 3 hours.

Heilsutrygd (National Health Insurance), Gigni, organizes and provides counselling through counsellors affiliated with Heilsutrygd, Gigni.

The purpose of the counselling is to lay the groundwork for a good start to the new life as a family and provide guidance tailored to the specific family and the specific needs - and hopefully ensure good conditions for the upbringing of the child. Counselling is not only reserved for when there are problems with the individual adoption.

Counselling is considered a preventive measure, and it is therefore essential that everyone receives direct, individualized counselling immediately before and after the child is brought home.

Please note that counselling is mandatory. Mandatory counselling means that everyone has the same prerequisites when adopting a child. 

Gigni will contact parents to schedule the time of the adoption counselling.

Find further information on the Gigni website, www.gigni.fo. 

Other counselling

It is common for adoptive families to face challenges after the adoption. These challenges may involve attachment or daily life situations that are difficult.

In addition to counselling immediately before and after you have brought the child home, you are entitled to adoption counselling for 2 x 10 hours. 10 hours must be used before the child has been adopted for 5 years. 10 hours can be used until the child reaches the age of 18. When it comes to older children, counselling for the child is also available.

Health Insurance, Gigni, organizes and provides counselling through counsellors affiliated with Health Insurance, Gigni.

Please note that counselling is voluntary, and parents must contact Gigni if they wish to receive counselling.

Further information can be found on the Gigni website, www.gigni.fo. 

Health visitor

Parents can receive advice and guidance from a health counsellor at Gigni. Experience shows that many families appreciate this offer. Parents can contact the health counsellor either before or after bringing the child home.

After the Family Law Administration has received notification from the adoption agency that the child is ready to be brought home, the Family Law Administration contacts Gigni, which subsequently contacts the parents to with regards to mother's group, healt visits etc. 

Learn more about the offer with health counsellors at www.gigni.fo. 

Adoption permit or approval

When the child is brought in the Faroe Islands, parents must apply to The Family Law Administration for an adoption permit or a certification that the Faroe Islands approves of the foreign adoption.

Ankestyrelsen provides the Family Law Administration with the necessary legal documents.

Follow-up reports

The child's country of origin is often interested in how the child is thriving and developing within the new family.

Different countries have requirements for a certain number of reports. Some reports must be made by the Family Law Administration, and some by the parents themselves.

When the Family Law Administration prepares the follow-up report, a social worker from the Family Law Administration will visit the family. 

Expenses related to international adoption

Expenses are associated with the adoption of a child from another country. The most significant expense is the fee that must be paid to the National Board of Appeals.

Additionally, there will be expenses related to health assessments in the approval process, travel expenses to the specific countries, vaccinations etc.

Support when adopting internationally
The state provides adoption support, a total of DKK 100.000. It is possible to apply for adoption support once the child has been brought home.

Expenses and support related to domestic adoption
Expenses are also associated with the adoption of a child from the Danish realm. Expenses include health assessments in the approval process, travel expenses, etc.

It is not possible to apply for support for domestic adoption.

Decisions made by the Family Law Administration can be appealed to the National Appeals Institution (Føroya Kærustovnur) within 4 weeks of the date you were informed of the decision.

Send the appeal to:

Føroya Kærustovnur
undir Hornabakka
PO box 45
110 Tórshavn 

or by e-mail to fks@fks.fo 

For further information about foreign adoption, read more

• on the Adoption Board (Adoptionsnævnet) website: www.adoptionsnaevnet.dk 
• on the National Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen) website: ast.dk/born-familie/adoption
• and see current adoption legislation here.

Please contact the Family Law Administration if you need more information about adoption or have any questions.