Factsheet, Page 2
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PATTERNS OF IMMIGRATION OF ADOPTED ORPHANS TO THE U.S.: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans
Fiscal YearNumber of Immigrant Visas Issued
FY 200415
FY 200315
FY 200233
FY 200128
FY 200025
ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN LATVIA:
The Ministry for Family and Children’s Rights (Ministry) is responsible for administering inter-country adoptions.
Foreigners interested in adopting a Latvian child should express their interest in writing to the ministry at the following address:
Ministry for Family and Children’s Rights
Basteja Blvd. 14 (3rd floor)
Riga, LV 1050
Latvia
Tel. (371) 735-6497
Fax. (371) 735-6464
E-mail: pasts@bm.gov.lv
http://www.bm.gov.lv
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Both single individuals and married couples are eligible to adopt.
RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Parent-child relationship requirement: Latvian adoption law requires that a parent-child relationship be established before the final court decision can be made at the town or city court having jurisdiction over the child. It leaves to each orphan court to decide on a case-by-case basis how long it will take to establish the parent-child relationship. The interpretation of the child-parent relationship among courts might differ. Adoptive parents are advised that orphan courts may require them to take care of the adoptive children and share a household in Latvia for some time period, not exceeding six months, as determined by the orphan court.
TIME FRAME: The time needed to complete an adoption in Latvia from beginning to end varies depending on the age of the adoptive child. There are very few newborn and younger children in need of a permanent family placement who are available for international adoption. Some parents wait several years to adopt an eligible child. Adoptions involving children between five and ten years of age can take less than a year, as there currently are many more older children eligible for international adoption.
Credits: U.S. Department of State
