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Citizenship declaration for an adopted child

Apply with this declaration for Finnish citizenship for an adopted child who has turned 12 years of age if you or your spouse is a Finnish citizen. In addition, the probate of adoption has to be valid in Finland on 1 June 2003 or later. The declaration is submitted by the person who has custody of the child or the child’s guardian.

  • Expected processing time for electronic application

    3 months

  • Expected processing time for paper application

    3 months

  • Electronic application fee

    80 €

  • Paper application fee

    100 €

This is what you should do

1

Make sure the child meets the requirements for becoming a citizen.

2

Make sure you have all the attachments needed for the application and that they are up to date. If necessary, have them translated and legalised.

3

Fill in your application.

4

Pay for your electronic application in the e-service Enter Finland. Pay for a paper application at a service point.

5

If you are abroad, visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) with the child to prove your identities. If you are in Finland, book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service for you and your child to prove your identities.

6

Wait for a decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.

Requirements

Make sure your child meets the following requirements:

  • the child is 12–17 years of age
    • An adoptive child under the age of 12 will automatically acquire Finnish citizenship if at least one of the adoptive parents is a Finnish citizen and the adoption is valid in Finland.
  • the child’s adoptive mother or father is a Finnish citizen
  • the decision on adoption became valid in Finland on 1 June 2003 or later.

These requirements must be met at the time you submit your declaration.

Application-specific attachments

  • Decision on adoption or, if the child has not been registered in the Population Information System, a registration information form from the service provider.
  • Proof of the adoptive parent’s Finnish citizenship at the time the application is made. For example, a copy of a valid Finnish passport or a residence permit in the country of residence, or a certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of residence, showing that the adoptive parent has not become a citizen of his country of residence.
    • In principle, proof is not required in the following situations:
      • The Finnish adoptive parent has not resided outside Finland or has only resided in the Nordic countries.
      • The adoptive parent has become a Finnish citizen on application and resided in Finland until the applicant was born.
      • The adoptive parent has become a citizen of another state on 1 June 2003 or later.