Step two. What documents do I need to submit?

Persons wishing to adopt, whose permanent place of residence is in a foreign state, citizens of a foreign state and stateless persons whose permanent place of residence is in the Republic of Lithuania, must apply for adoption in Lithuania through the Central Adoption Authority of their home country, or through the institution of a foreign state, authorised to act in the performance of international adoptions in the Republic of Lithuania.

The Central Adoption Authority of the adoptive parents’ State of residence or an authorised foreign authority must submit the following documents of the adoptive parents to the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service (hereinafter - the Service): 
1) an application for adoption (must specify the age, sex and state of health of the child you wish to adopt. The wishes must not conflict with the adoption authorisation); 
2) an information letter from the Central Adoption Authority of the receiving State or from an authorised foreign authority introducing the adoptive parents;
3) a home assessment (social or psychological report) prepared in accordance with the receiving country's procedure; 
4) an adoption permit issued by the competent authority of the receiving State;
5) a confirmation from the competent authority of the receiving country that the adopted child will be allowed to enter and reside permanently in the country;
6) copies of passports or other identity documents;
7) copies of birth certificates;
8) a copy of the marriage certificate, a copy of the divorce certificate if divorced, a copy of the spouse’s death certificate if widowed;
9) health certificates;
10) certificates on the family’s financial situation (income and assets);
11) criminal record certificates;
12) medical certificates and copies of birth certificates of children living together;
13) the family’s authorisation to an authorised foreign authority (if the family is applying through an organisation).

The documents must have been issued by the competent authority of the foreign country not earlier than 12 months before the date of receipt of the documents by the Service.

All documents must be legalised or certified by an Apostille and must be accompanied by translations into Lithuanian, certified in accordance with the established procedures. Acceptance of duly prepared documents is the only issue at stake.

If the family agrees to adopt the proposed child, the court must be updated with such documents: 
1) a home assessment;
2) health certificates;
3) certificates of the family’s financial situation;
4) criminal record certificates.