Skip to Content

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.

7

Read what happens after you have applied.

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.

Citizenship declaration for an adopted child, KAN_5

Fill in an electronic application (only available in Finnish and Swedish)
Fill in a paper application (only available in Finnish and Swedish)