Scottish Government

Republic of Moldova

Overview of procedures for prospective adopters wishing to adopt a child from Republic of Moldova:

To adopt a child from Republic of Moldova you will have to comply with both Scottish and Republic of Moldovan Adoption Law

Republic of Moldova Requirements

Applicants must be between 25 and 50 years old, with both married and single applicants accepted. If you already have children (adopted, biological or fostered) the Republic of Moldovan authorities will only consider you for adoption "where particular humanitarian considerations require the granting of adoption and when no other option exists for the adoption of the child". Prospective parents may indicate age (from age 18 months for single child adoptions) and gender preference, whilst sibling groups are also welcomed by the foreign authorities.

• All reference to the Republic of Moldova must be stated as the " Republic of Moldova". The reference "Moldova" will not be accepted by the foreign authorities.
• The applicants should arrange for all documents to be translated; this can be done in Republic of Moldova or in the UK. It is likely to be cheaper to have the documents translated in Republic of Moldova but you are advised to make your own enquiries.
• After child referral it may take around 6 -9 months to complete an adoption in Republic of Moldova, however this may take longer depending on the amount of applications received by the Ministers of Social Protection for Family and Children Adoption Department.

A list of required documents by the Scottish Adoption Agency (usually your local authority social work department) and the Scottish Government (aka the Central Authority in Scotland) in order to proceed with adoption applications to the Republic of Moldova can be found at ANNEX A.

The adoption requirements of the Republic of Moldova

The adoption requirements of the Republic of Moldova can be found in Annex B. The requirements for both Scotland and the Republic of Moldova may differ due to their respective legislation that both countries are required to meet in order to approve a prospective adoptor.

Potential fees payable as part of the adoption process from Republic of Moldova:

These fees are subject to change. All fees (correct as of February 2010) are given in Euros as the Republic of Moldovan currency is linked to the Euro.

You are advised to confirm the above costs before travelling. Prospective Adopters are expected to check local exchange rates for greater accuracy.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Annex A.

Supporting Documents for the Scottish Adoption Agency and Scottish Government

1. Adoption application in the form of a letter addressed to the "Catre Ministerial Protectiei Sociale Familiei Si Copilului, Sectia Adopti" in Republic of Moldova and signed by applicant and, if you are married, by your spouse;

2. Birth Certificate(s);

3. Marriage Certificate, if applicable. If either of you have been divorced you are required to send a copy of your decree absolute;

4. Extract of Passport of each applicant;

5. Letter from your employers confirming you are in gainful employment, length of employment and salary. For self-employed the letter would come from your accountant;

6. Statement duly attested by a Notary Public that:

a) the applicants have not been deprived of parental rights;

b) the child shall not be subjected to experimental medical treatment and that parts of the child's body shall not be used for donor purposes:

c) the child will not be given for re-adoption.

7. Photographs of yourselves and your home;

8. Name of a nominated Power of Attorney to represent you in Republic of Moldova.

9. Land Registry Certificate

Documents provided by your social services department/ approved adoption agency and the DCSF/ Scottish Government/ Welsh Assembly Government/ Health and Social Services Executive, N. Ireland/ Guernsey/ Jersey/ Isle of Man.

10. Scottish Government Certificate of Eligibility and Suitability;

11. Home study assessment report;

12. Letter from local authority committing them to producing Post Placement Reports on the child;

13. Police report (Enhanced Disclosure Scotland) on each applicant. Additional police checks will be required if you have lived/worked overseas for over a year, during the last 5 years. If your local council is unable to obtain an overseas police check, you will need to provide an affidavit confirming that you have not committed any crimes during your stay in that country;

14. Medical report on each applicant.

All documents 1- 14 will be required to be notarised and legalised individually. The documents must be arranged together into 11 document sets (see annex B below) as per the requirements of the Republic of Moldovan authorities.

Please do not have your supporting documents notarised in advance of being sent to the Scottish Government.

Annex B

The Republic of Moldova authorities require your application to adopt a child from their country be presented in 11 document sets, these are as set out below. The Ministry of Social Protection for Family and Children Adoption Department will decline your application unless it is presented as their guidelines state.

The Ministry will then contact you or your Power of Attorney informing you of their decision.

Document set 1

This document is made up of:-

a] the "Certificate of Eligibility and approval" issued by the Central Authority.

Note to Central Authority: This document must be specifically addressed to:-

CATRE MINISTERUL PROTECTIEI SOCIALE

FAMILIEI SI COPILULUI

SECTIA ADOPTII.

Document set 2

This document is the application form issued by the Republic of Moldova "Catre Ministerul Protectiei Sociale, Familiei si Copilului, Sectia Adoptii. The document is to be requested by the Central Authority and will require translation to English to ensure accurate completion of the form. A completed copy of this will be sent to the Central Authority.

Document set 3

The document set is made up of:-

a] The adoption agencies decision letter

b] BAAF Form F3 Part 1.

C] The minutes from the panel meetings.

Document set 4

The document set is made up of:-

a] Marriage certificate (if applicants are married) or Birth certificate (if single or unmarried)

b] Divorce decree (if applicable)

Document set 5

The document set is made up of:-

a] Health and safety check list for home/property.

b] BAAF Form AH, Health report (1 for each applicant)

All documents must state "the Republic of Moldova" where applicable.

Document set 6

The document set is made up of:-

a] Letter from employer (for each applicant where applicable)

b] Financial statement

Document set 7

This document is made up of the "Land registry certificate" for the ownership of the residence.

Document set 8

This document set is made up of:-

a] BAAF Form F3 Part 2

b] BAAF Form F3 Part 3

c] Family tree

d] Support flow chart

e] Statement from applicants

f ] References x 2

g] BAAF Form F3 Part 6 which details feedback statement from facilitations about adoption preparation course.

Document set 9

This document set is made up of colour copies of passports of applicants

Document set 10

This document set is made up of Enhanced Disclosures for applicants

Document set 11

This document set is made up of colour photographs, with details of what the photographs are written on the reverse

Please note that the only method accepted by the Republic of Moldovan authorities is to have a number of "document sets" sewn together as document sets whilst having a ribbon (used to sew the documents sets together with) held down with seals. This to ensure that no part of the document may be withdrawn, added or in any way tampered with.