Factsheet, Page 2


ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS: There are no accredited international adoption agencies in Hungary. Adoptive parents must work directly with GYIVI. The Embassy usually advises adoptive parents to seek the assistance of a U.S. adoption agency or a lawyer with experience in Hungarian international adoptions if no friends or relatives are available to help in Hungary in the complex adoption process.

Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.

Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site travel.state.gov .

ADOPTION FEES IN Hungary: Although there are no fees for the adoption itself, other expenses of obtaining documents and translations, and lawyer's fees, if any, can be high.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES: People who are interested in adopting in Hungary should send their requests to the adoption center, the National Institute for Social and Family Policy at the address listed above. Adoption requests can also be submitted through a Hungarian Consulate abroad. The Hungarian Consulate is required to forward the request to the adoption center in Budapest.


Once a request for adoption is received, the adoption center has fifteen days to inform the adoptive parents regarding the conditions of adoption, and the documents required for registration on the national register. If the adoptive parents fail to present the required documents within sixty days, the adoption center considers the request to adopt abandoned.

Once the necessary documents are submitted, the adoption center will forward notification of registration to the adoptive parents. The documents are forwarded to the appropriate county Child and Youth Protection Institute (GYIVI). The county GYIVI will schedule an appointment for adoptive parents to meet the child. Prospective adoptive parents must travel to Hungary to meet the child.

Following the personal meeting, the GYIVI forwards all the documents with a recommendation to the Guardianship Office. This office has legal authority to adjudicate, approve, or deny all adoption requests. If the adoptive parents do not wish to adopt the child they met, the documents are returned to the adoption center in Budapest for further consideration. If parents are unable to adopt within two years, the entire registration process must be repeated (i.e., parents will have to re-apply).

Once the final adoption decree is issued, the child must be re-registered at the birth registry of his/her place of birth. When the new birth certificate is issued, the adoptive parents submit a Hungarian passport application on behalf of the child. The adoptive parents must be prepared to stay in Hungary during the adoption process, which may take 3-6 weeks, including the passport application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION IN HUNGARY: In order to be placed on the national register of adoptive parents, the following documents must be submitted:

  • Home study performed by a U.S. licensed agency or a social worker;
  • Proof of income of adoptive parents;
  • Psychological evaluation of adoptive parents;
  • Advance approval of foreign state, i.e. official notification of I-600A approval;
  • Certificate of citizenship;
  • Statement of adoptive parents regarding motivation for adoption and expectations about the child;
  • Adoptive parents' statements consenting to their registration on the national register;
  • License of adoption agency, if applicable.

All of the documents must be original or certified copies issued within the last year, and must be accompanied by Hungarian translations authenticated by Hungarian consular officials abroad or certified translators in Hungary.

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Credits: U.S. Department of State