Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

Intercountry Adoption

English

Country Information

Estonia

Estonia
Republic of Estonia
Exercise normal precautions in Estonia.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Estonia.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Estonia.

If you decide to travel to Estonia:

 

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Hague Adoption Convention Country?
Yes
Are Intercountry Adoptions between this country and the United States possible?
Intercountry adoptions to the United States from Estonia may be possible.

Hague Convention Information

Estonia is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Convention countries must be done in accordance with the Convention; the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); the IAA’s implementing regulations; and all applicable legislation and regulations of Estonia.

Estonia is not considered a country of origin for intercountry adoption at this time. While adoption is legally possible, children from Estonia are not generally placed for intercountry adoption. No child from Estonia has received a U.S. immigrant visa based on an intercountry adoption in the past five fiscal years. The information provided is intended primarily to assist in extremely rare adoption cases from Estonia, including adoptions of children from Estonia by relatives in the United States, as well as adoptions from third countries by U.S. citizens living in Estonia.

U.S. citizens interested in adopting children from Estonia should contact the Central Authority of Estonia to inquire about applicable laws and procedures. U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents living in Estonia who would like to adopt a child from the United States or from a third country should also contact Estonia’s Central Authority. See contact information below.

Please visit the Department of State’s country pages for more information on traveling to Estonia and the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn’s website for information on consular services.

The consular officer will send a letter (referred to as an “Article 5/17 Letter”) to Estonia’s Central Authority in any intercountry adoption involving U.S. citizen adoptive parents and a child from Estonia if all Convention requirements are met and the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States. This letter will inform Estonia’s Central Authority that the parents are suitable and eligible to adopt, that the child appears eligible to enter and reside permanently in the United States, and that the U.S. Central Authority agrees that the adoption may proceed.

Warning: Do not attempt to adopt a child in Estonia before USCIS has provisionally approved your Form I-800 petition AND a U.S. consular officer issues the “Article 5/17 Letter” for your adoption case.

Remember: The consular officer will make a final decision about a child’s eligibility for an immigrant visa later in the adoption process.

Contact Information

Estonia’s Adoption Authority:
Social Insurance Board
Paldiski mnt 80, 
15092 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: +372 612 1360
Email: info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee
Internet: https://www.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia
Kentmanni 20
15099 Tallinn, Estonia
Tel: +372 668 8128
Fax: +372 668 8267
Email: ACSTallinn@state.gov
Internet: https://ee.usembassy.gov

Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th floor
Washington, D.C. 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: Adoption@state.gov
Internet: http://adoption.state.gov

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about filing a Form I-800A application or a Form I-800 petition:
USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC)
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-913-275-5480 (local); Fax:1-913-214-5808
Email: NBC.Adoptions@uscis.dhs.gov

For general questions about immigration procedures:
USCIS Contact Center
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov

Last Updated: March 19, 2019

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Tallinn
Kentmanni 20
15099 Tallinn
Estonia
Telephone
+(372) 668-8128
Emergency
+(372) 668-8100
Fax
+(372) 668-8267

Estonia Map