Adoption og Samfund

This homepage is managed by Adoption & Samfund, the only Danish National organization for adoptive families,

We have approximately 3500 members. We do not facilitate adoption nor do we work as an adoption agency.

Our homepage is designed for Danish adoptive parents and adoptees.

About Danish adoptions

There are about 1300 adoptions each year, out of which approximately 600 are national adoptions. 90 percent of the national adoptions are step-parent adoptions. Only 20-30 national adoptions are anonymous adoptions.

Foreign adoptions account for 700 children every year, out of which 600 are anonymous. This homepage has an extensive set of statistics on Danish adoption.

Danish law does not allow Danish nationals to adopt through foreign agencies, even not when living abroad. In theory foreigners can adopt Danish children, but since the waiting line is very long, there are no Danish children available for foreign adoption.

Danish adoption laws are quite strict and adoption can only take place if you:

• Are approved by the Danish authorities for the specific age bracket and health condition, you want for your child,
• Are approved for the number of children you want to adopt at the same time.
• Let one of the two authorized, Danish adoption agencies handle your adoption.

Approval can only be granted if

• the age difference between the oldest adoptive parent and the adoptee is less than 40 years
• you are at least 25 years old
• you do not have a criminal record
• you do not have serious health problems
• you as a couple have been living together for 2½ year and are married

Singles can adopt in Denmark.

Private adoption is only allowed if

• You adopt a family member
• Or you have special ties to the country from which you adopt (i.e. you currently work as a foreign aide etc.)

Modified November 16th, 2004 / SBA