Factsheet
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- Factsheet
- Greek Adoption Law
DISCLAIMER: The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign legal counsel.
PLEASE NOTE: Greek children can be adopted only by people who are either Greek citizens or of Greek origin and residents in Greece. Exceptions will be made only for children with health problems.
Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S. based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.
GENERAL: The following is a guide for U.S. citizens who are interested in adopting a child in Greece and applying for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. This process involves complex Greek and U.S. legal requirements. U.S. consular officers give each petition careful consideration on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the legal requirements of both countries have been met, for the protection of the prospective adoptive parent(s), the biological parents(s) and the child. Interested U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact U.S. consular officials in Athens before formalizing an adoption agreement to ensure that appropriate procedures have been followed which will make it possible for the Embassy (Consulate) to issue a U.S. immigrant visa for the child.
AVAILABILITY OF CHILDREN FOR ADOPTION: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans.
FY-1996: IR-3 immigrant visas issued to Greek orphans adopted abroad - 10
IR-4 immigrant visas issued to Greek orphans adopted in the U.S. - 0
FY-1997: IR-3 visas - 1, IR-4 visas - 0
FY-1998: IR-3 visas - 3, IR-4 visas - 0
FY-1999: IR-3 visas - 11, IR-4 visas - 0
FY-2000: IR-3 visas - 4, IR-4 visas - 0
GREECE ADOPTION AUTHORITY: The government office responsible for adoptions in Greece is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
GREECE ADOPTION PROCEDURES: The adoption process may take years . Legal private adoptions can take place in Greece. According to Greek Law, any arrangements by prospective adoptive parents for the care of a minor must be approved by Social Services following a thorough investigation. If the couple is English-speaking or residents of abroad, the family study will be done by International Social Services in Athens. There is a five year waiting period to finalize an adoption is long, since there is usually a sizeable waiting list of prospective adoptive parents. The adoptive parents will also need the assistance of an attorney. The embassy has a list of attorneys, which is listed below.
AGE AND CIVIL STATUS REQUIREMENTS: There is no religious requirement in order to adopt a child in Greece. Preference, however, is given to prospective adoptive parents of the Greek Orthodox faith. Greek children can be adopted only by persons who are either Greek citizens or of Greek origin and residents of Greece. Exceptions will be made only for children with health problems who can be found at the institutions located in Greece.
There is no marital requirement in order to adopt a child in Greece. As far as age, according to Greek law, at least one parent must be older than the adopted child by at least 18 years but not by more than 50 years. According to U.S. law for adoption, there is no required age for a married couple, but if unmarried, the U.S. citizen should be at least 25 years of age.
Credits: U.S. Department of State
