Adoption: Norwegian laws allows immigrants and refugees living in Norway to adopt a family member

After reading the adoption laws of Norway, I realise that there is a posibility for an immigrant or a refugee living in Norway to adopt a relative and bring her or him to Norway.

One can adopt a child under twelve, over twelve with the child’s consent and over 18 with consent as well.

This is interesting. The law requires that you are really interested to bring up the one you are adopting.

This is an opportunity that immigrants and refugees can use if they want to rescue a suffering relative instead of applying for family re-union which may never go through.

Read, understand and ask questions. The Norwegian government is here below: 

APN.

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Applications for adoption are handled by the five regional offices of the Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. This applies to the adoption of children in Norway (national adoption) as well as to applications for advance approval for adoption of children from abroad (intercountry adoption).

The local authorities assist the adoption authorities in obtaining necessary information by carrying out the stipulated investigation of applicants and submitting recommendations to applications for adoption.

There are currently three adoption organisations in Norway that are accredited to deal with intercountry adoptions. These are Adopsjonsforum, Verdens Barn (Children of the World – Norway) and InorAdopt. The Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs serves as the national adoption authority as stipulated in The Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Intercountry Adoption. The Directorate monitors the activities of the various organisations involved in the adoption process. The Directorate also deals with appeals submitted in connection with decisions taken by the regional offices.  The Ministry of Children and Equality is the superior responsible authority in all matters pertaining to adoption. The regulatory framework for adoption comprises the Act of 28 February 1986 No. 8 relating to Adoption and the appurtenant regulations and circulars. On adoption, the adopted child is given the same legal status as if the adopted child had been the adoptive parents’ biological child. At the same time, the obligations and rights of the biological parents in respect of their parental responsibility are transferred to the adoptive parents, and the child’s legal relationship to his or her biological parents and their families is terminated. Today, the most common form of adoption is adoption of children from abroad. The majority of national adoptions involve the adoption of stepchildren. See link for statistics.   A fundamental principle of the Act relating to adoption and international conventions ratified by
Norway is that adoption orders are issued only when this is in the best interests of the child. It is further required that the person applying for an adoption either wishes to bring up or has brought up the child, or that there is another special reason for the adoption.  Children who have reached 12 years of age may not be adopted without their own consent. A person under 18 years of age may not be adopted without the consent of the person or persons who have parental responsibility. A parent who does not share in the parental responsibility shall, as far as possible, be given the opportunity to express an opinion before a decision is made. A person must be at least 25 years of age to be eligible to adopt a child. The Act relating to adoption stipulates that only spouses may adopt a child jointly.  A spouse may with the consent of the other spouse adopt the latter’s child. A partner in a registered partnership may with the consent of the other partner adopt the latter’s child, unless the child is an adopted child whose origin is a foreign state that does not permit such adoption.  In order to be approved for adoption, certain requirements must be fulfilled regarding the duration of the marriage or the registered partnership, and the age, health, finances and conduct of the parties involved.  

By the Ministry of Children and Equality

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no, tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525