History of Hungary
Welcome to Lifeline’s Hungary adoption program! Lifeline was founded, and continues to exist, to serve Christian families such as your own desiring to adopt a precious child who needs the love and care that only a family can provide – a ‘forever family’. Our Hungary adoption program has been truly blessed because we are working with one of the premier adoption facilitators in Hungary. He has been facilitating Hungarian adoptions for the past 25 years. He is well known throughout the country as a specialist in both process and accommodations and has years of good relations at the US Embassy, where he is known on a first name basis! Along with the guidance of your Lifeline international social worker, the Hungary Adoption Manual will be used as a valuable resource throughout your adoption journey. Enclosed you will find all of the forms and paperwork needed to complete your adoption along with important information about the Hungary adoption process.
Because of Hungary’s commitment to ensure that their children are matched into great homes they are very strict about a number of specific processes, this includes the family and the agency’s commitment to post adoption oversight and reports. Lifeline has committed to the central adoption processing authority, the Ministry of National Resources, Department of Child Protection and Guardianship Affairs, that we will assist all of our families in complying with the rigorous standards they have established to benefit and protect their children.
Historically more boys are available than girls. Sibling groups are also available. Both boys and girls as young as 3 1/2 or 4 years old could be available for adoption. Adopting a child from the Hungary is a wonderful way to build your family and provide an available child a loving home.
The Adoption Process
- There were 24 adoptions to the U.S. from Hungary in 2012.
- Hungary processes adoptions through the Ministry of National Resources, Department of Child Protection and Guardianship Affairs.
- Hungary adoptions can take, on average, 18-24 months to complete.
- Children reside in the care of a foster home or orphanage while awaiting adoption.
- Applicants to adopt must be between the ages of 25-60 years old.
- Applicants must be married for at least one year.
- The adopted child must be the youngest child in the home.
- The Ministry of National Resources, Department of Child Protection and Guardianship Affairs is the only legal Hungarian authority for adoptions. Children must be registered with the Ministry of National Resources, Department of Child Protection and Guardianship Affairs of the child before they are available for adoption.
- The Ministry processes the documents submitted by adopting parents and registers them with the government, then once an official referral is located, it is issued for the family.
The Children
- Economic factors lead to most relinquishment of children. Parental rights may also be terminated in the case of neglect or drug and alcohol abuse.
- Hungarian children has to relinquished for adoption before they are available to be internationally adopted.
- A referral must be given and accepted before a family can travel to Hungary.
- Children are available in the four-year-old range and up. Older children and sibling groups are also available for adoption. We will work to help you meet your preferences for adoption as closely as possible.
Travel Information
- Both adoptive parents are required to travel to Hungary to adopt their child. However, one parent may be able to leave. We will evaluate this on a case by case basis and make the proper arrangements.
- The average length of stay in Hungary is 6 weeks.
- During these 6 weeks, a family will be meeting with a Hungarian Social Worker. The child will be in the family’s care the majority of the time.
- Families will be given the opportunity to meet with a Hungarian pediatrician that works closely with our team.
- Once the adopted child enters the U.S., he or she automatically becomes a U.S. citizen.
