Lithuania Limits Foreign Applications for Adoption

The Central Authority will no longer accept any applications from non-citizen single persons, and will only accept applications from non-citizen couples for the adoption of special needs children. Married couples where one spouse is a citizen of Lithuania will continue to be able to adopt under the previous rules. Families currently registered with the Lithuanian Central Authority will not be effected by the new rules.

On April 12, 2012, the Lithuanian Central Authority posted the following statement on its English Language website:

Foreign families may apply only for adoption of children with special needs

From 1st of April 2012 foreign nationals who are the permanent residents of a foreign state may apply to State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour only with an application for adoption of children with special needs. Besides, only spouses may apply for mentioned adoption.
Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania (spouses) and spouses whereof one is a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania who are the permanent residents of a foreign state may apply for adoption in usual order as it was before.
New rules regarding intercountry adoption came into force in accordance with the order of the Minister of Social Security and Labour No. A1-8 of January 10, 2012 Re: Amendments to the order of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania No. A1-162 “ Re: approval of the description of procedure for authorizing the institutions of foreign states to act in pursuance of international adoption in the Republic of Lithuania” of 3 June 2005.

http://www.vaikoteises.lt/en/

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