To support the viability of intercountry adoption as an option for permanency for children in Estonia, the Office of Children’s Issues and the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn sought information from the Estonian Central Authority regarding its legal requirements for the authorization of adoption service providers (ASP), pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Adoption Convention.

Estonia ratified the Convention on February 22, 2002, and it entered into force on June 1, 2002.

Incoming intercountry adoption from Estonia to the United States are rare and generally limited to relative cases or other extraordinary circumstances. ASPs in need of information about Estonian authorization requirements should contact the Estonian Central Authority directly for information and notify the Office of Children's Issues if assistance with facilitating communication is needed.

Contact information for the Estonian Central Authority:

Estonian National Social Insurance Board, Paldiski mnt 80, 15092 Tallinn, Estonia
Phone: +372 612 1360; + 372 5384 6257
E-mail: info@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee  / irje.tammeleht@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee
Website: www.sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

Contact Person:

Irje Tammeleht
Phone: + 372 5309 1597
Email: irje.tammeleht@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee

For additional information, ASPs may wish to review the Estonia country-information page.