Adoption Agencies and Information for Latvia

In recent years, adoptions from Latvia to the United States have significantly decreased in numbers. Much of this is due to the strict interpretation of its adoption law. Latvian Adoption Law requires that a parent-child relationship be established before the court decision is considered final. However, the interpretation of what constitutes an appropriate time to form that relationship may vary with the different courts. Prospective parents should be prepared to share a household with their child in Latvia for the time set by that court.

There is some opposition in Latvia to the adoption of Latvian children by foreigners. This has contributed to a reluctance to reform international adoption procedures, which entail several extended trips by adoptive parents to Latvia to complete all requirements.

For more information about adoption from this country and about adoption agencies that can assist you, please visit the websites below.  Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any of the adoption agencies they plan to use for adoption services.

*Footnote: The Joint Council for International Children’s Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed non-profit international adoption agencies.  All of the above adoption agencies are listed as members of JCICS.

This site is intended as a very general guide to assist adopting persons who are considering the adoption of a child from a foreign country.  External links should not be construed as an endorsement of the site, the adoption agencies listed, or of the information contained within the sites.