Hungary
March 5, 2007
Prospective parents considering adopting a child from Hungary have several
factors in their favor. As of current, the time frame for adopting a Hungarian
child is very short. Once the Hungarian adoption authority has received all
required documentation the time frame to complete the adoption is averaging
around 3 months. This is a very short wait time, just ask someone who has
adopted a beautiful child from China!
Children Available:
Children available in Hungary for adoption are between the ages of 14 months old
to 7 years of age. There are both boys and girls that are waiting to be adopted
by a loving, stable, and permanent family. In Hungary, children that have
become orphaned live in foster home environments until they are adopted.
Parental Requirements:
Hungary adoption authority prefers that prospective parents be at least 25 years
of age at the time of the adoption. There is a law that one of the adoptive
parents, if married, must be under the age of 45. Married couples and single
people may adopt from Hungary. There may be preference given to married couples
as Hungarians culturally believe that a child will fare better in life if raised
in a two parent traditional household. Parents must demonstrate that they are in
a position mentally, physically, and financially to care for a new child. This
is demonstrated through several documents required by the adoption authority
such as a proof of income document and a psychological evaluation.
Travel:
Parents must be willing and able to travel to Hungary. One parent
may return home after meeting the prospective adopted child. The other parent
must remain in Hungary for an average of 6 weeks to finalize the adoption and
begin attachment building with their new child.
There are open adoption programs running through United States based adoption
agencies that work in Hungary. Adoptions can also be processed directly through
the adoption authority which is Ministry for Youth, Family and Social Affairs,
and Equal Opportunity in the Department of Family and Guardianship Matters.
This department is located in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.
Prospective parents may send a letter expressing their desire to adopt a
Hungarian child directly to the authority. The Ministry has 15 days to respond
to this request with an approval or denial notice. Once this has taken place
prospective parents have 60 days to turn in all required documentation to the
Ministry or else the adoption is seen as null and void. Similar to when
prospective parents use an adoption agency to facilitate the adoption the
parents will wait for a referral from the Ministry which they may approve or
deny. Once a referral has been approved parents will travel to Hungary for
court hearing and the finalization of the adoption process. It is highly
recommended that prospective parents use an accredited adoption agency to
assist in the adoption process. There are documents that must be translated,
many complex legal issues, and immigration paperwork to complete that must be
done correctly and in a timely manner. An accredited adoption agency will
assure that all the necessary documentation and deadlines are met.
The Ministry may be reached directly at:
Ministry for Youth, Family and Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunity
Department of Family and Guardianship Matters
1054 Budapest, Akademia u. 3.
Telephone: (36-1) 475-5788 or (36-1) 475-7983
