Marriage
Before getting married, you must request in writing an examination of the possible impediments to your marriage (avioliiton esteiden tutkiminen). This examination is performed at a local register office (maistraatti). You can submit the examination request to any of the offices.
Local Register Office of Uusimaa, Espoo unit
Miestentie 3
02150 Espoo
Puh. 02 955 39391
info.uusimaa(at)maistraatti.fi
Read more: Marriage
linkkiLocal Register Office:
Marriage ceremonyFinnish | Swedish | English
linkkiDigital and Population Data Services Agency:
Request for an examination of impediments to marriageFinnish | Swedish | English
Divorce
Women and men can file for divorce at the office of the District Court of Länsi-Uusimaa. You can also file for divorce alone, without the consent of your spouse. Applications can be sent to the District Court office by post, fax or e-mail.
District Court of Länsi-Uusimaa (Länsi-Uudenmaan käräjäoikeus)
Vitikka 1 B 2
02630 Espoo
Tel. 029 564 4000
E-mail: lansi-uusimaa.ko(at)oikeus.fi
Read more: Divorce
linkkiDistrict Court of Länsi-Uusimaa:
Contact informationFinnish | Swedish
Children in a divorce
If you have children under 13 years of age and you are planning a divorce, please contact a family counselling centre (perheneuvola). At the family counselling centre, you can discuss the situation of your family with professionals. The contact information for the family counselling centres can be found on the City of Espoo website.
If you are contemplating divorce, you can also contact the child welfare supervisor (lastenvalvoja) of the family affairs unit. With the child welfare supervisor, you can discuss the divorce and the future of your children. The spouses must reach a mutual agreement on where the children will live as well as on meeting rights and child support. The child welfare supervisors affirm the agreement. The contact information for the child welfare supervisors can be found on the City of Espoo website.
The City of Espoo has a telephone helpline that provides assistance in matters regarding children of divorcing parents.
Tel. 046 877 3267
Read more: Children in a divorce
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Contact information for child welfare supervisorsFinnish | Swedish
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Divorce in a family with childrenFinnish | Swedish
Child’s birth
Information regarding a child’s birth is sent from the hospital to the Finnish Population Information System. You have to inform the Local Register Office (Maistraatti) about the child’s names, native language and other necessary information on a separate form that will be sent to your home.
You can read more about the registration of a child’s birth, recognition of paternity and custody on the InfoFinland page: When a child is born in Finland.
linkkiHUS (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa):
Baby journey - Guide to a new motherFinnish | Swedish | English
Taking care of a child
Information on the day care of children in Espoo is available on the InfoFinland page Education in Espoo.
Temporary childcare
You can take your child to park aunties for temporary childcare. This is short-term care of children (2-3 hours at a time), which takes place outside at a playground. You can get more information on park aunties by phone. Telephone numbers can be found on the website of the City of Espoo.
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Park auntiesFinnish | Swedish
If you need a temporary nanny in your home you can contact the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (Mannerheimin lastensuojeluliitto) or Väestöliitto.
linkkiFamily Federation of Finland:
Childcare and domestic helpFinnish
linkkiMannerheim League for Child Welfare:
Help for childcareFinnish | Swedish | English
Read more: Day care
Child home care allowance
If the youngest child of the family is under three years of age, a parent may receive child home care allowance (kotihoidon tuki) if he or she takes care of the child at home. If you are entitled to child home care allowance, you can apply for it from Kela. You can fill in the application online or post it to Kela. You can also visit a Kela office. Espoo has four Kela offices.
The City of Espoo pays an additional Espoo supplement to families who care for a child under 3 years of age at home. Parents who care for all under-school-age children of the family are entitled to apply for the Espoo supplement.
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Child care at homeFinnish | Swedish | English
linkkiKela:
Information about child home care supportFinnish | Swedish | English
linkkiKela:
Electronic servicesFinnish | Swedish | English
linkkiKela:
Contact information for KelaFinnish | Swedish | English
Resident playgrounds and clubs
The City of Espoo organises plenty of activities for parents who care for their children at home, including resident playgrounds, open day-care centres and playgroups.
Read more: Benefits for looking after a child at home
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Resident playgrounds and playgroupsFinnish | English
Elderly
Elderly people can use the services of regular health stations. In addition, Espoo provides specialised elderly services, such as home care services. If you would like more information on elderly services, contact Guidance for Elderly Citizens (Seniorineuvonta).
Tel. (09) 816 33333
nestori(at)espoo.fi
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Guidance for elderly citizensFinnish | Swedish | English
If you care for a family member at home
If you are taking care of an elderly, ill or disabled family member at home, you may be entitled to informal care allowance.
linkkiCity of Espoo:
Informal care allowanceFinnish | Swedish
Read more: Elderly
Problems in a family
Information on where to get help in Espoo for problems related to children, young people and families is available on the InfoFinland page Problem situations in Espoo.
There is also information on children's and young people's problems on the InfoFinland pages Children's and young people's problems and Where to find help for children's and young people's problems?
Information on where to get help for problems in a relationship is available on the InfoFinland page Problems in marriage and relationships.