Factsheet, Page 3

DOCTORS: The U.S. Embassy (Consulate) maintains current lists of doctors and sources for medicines, should either you or your child experience health problems while in Greece.

GREECE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: The International Social Service in Athens requires the following documents in order to adopt a child:

  • An application to show their interest to adopt a child notarized by the Greek police if they happen to be here in Greece or sent through their International Social Service from U.S.A.
  • Certified copies of Birth certificates and Baptismal certificates of the adoptive parents.
  • Certified copy of their Marriage certificate.
  • Medical certificates concerning the general health condition and separate certificates concerning the mental health of the adoptive parents.
  • Evidence of the financial status of the adoptive parents.
  • Two letters of recommendation from friends, organizations, or their church.
  • Penal records of both adoptive parents. For your information "penal record" is a document which Greek citizens can obtain from the appropriate area judicial authority regard to their "conviction-free" background. It has been the Embassy's experience that U.S. citizens, whenever required, can submit to the Greek authorities an FBI record, which is considered to serve the same purpose.
  • The law also requires that a home study be conducted by the local social service, prior to the court hearing, so that the family and social status of the adoptive parents can be determined.

These documents need to be authenticated as well. Here is the procedure:

Generally, U.S. civil records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, must bear the seal of the issuing office and then be authenticated by the appropriate State Secretary of State in the U.S., the U.S. Department of State's Authentication’s Office, and the Guatemalan Embassy or nearest Consulate.


Tax returns, medical reports and police clearances should likewise be authenticated, beginning with the seal of a notary public in the United States, or some appropriate issuing office. The notary's seal should be authenticated by the clerk-of-court of the county where the notary is licensed, or some similar authority. The document should then be authenticated by the appropriate State Secretary of State in the U.S., the U.S. Department of State's Authentication’s Office, and the (Insert County’s name here) Embassy or nearest Consulate.

U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

A Greek child adopted by an American citizen must obtain an immigrant visa before he or she can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. There are two distinct categories of immigrant visas available to children adopted by American citizens.

A Previously Adopted Child . Section 101(b)(1)(E) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act defines an "adopted child" as one who was adopted under the age of 16 1 and who has already resided with, and in the legal custody of, the adoptive parent for at least two years. Parents who can demonstrate that their adopted child meets this requirement may file an I-130 petition with the U.S. US Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) having jurisdiction over their place of residence in the United States. Upon approval of the I-130 petition, the parents may apply for an immigrant visa for the child at the U.S. Embassy in Athens. American citizens who believe this category may apply to their adopted child should contact the U.S. Embassy in Athens for more information.

1 A child adopted at age 16 or 17 will also qualify, provided he or she was adopted together with a natural sibling who was under age 16.

An Orphan. If an adopted child has not resided with the adoptive parent for two years (or if the child has not yet even been adopted) the child must qualify under section 101(b)(1)(F) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act in order to apply for an immigrant visa. The main requirements of this section are as follows:

  • The adoptive or prospective adoptive parent must be an American citizen;
  • The child must be under the age of 16 1 at the time an I-600 Petition is filed with the USCIS on his or her behalf;
  • If the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent is married, his or her spouse must also be a party to the adoption;
  • If the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent is single, he or she must be at least 25 years of age;
  • The child must be an orphan, as defined by U.S. regulations. Although the definition of an orphan found in many dictionaries is "A child whose parents are dead," U.S. immigration law and regulations provide for a somewhat broader definition. Children who do not qualify under this definition, however, may not immigrate to the U.S. as an orphan even if legally adopted by an American Citizen. The Department of State encourages Americans to consider if a particular child is an orphan according to U.S. immigration law and regulations before proceeding with an adoption. A detailed description of the orphan definition used by USCIS can be found on USCIS's web site at http://www.uscis.gov.
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Credits: U.S. Department of State