1. Who is eligible for adoption in the Philippines?

Children in the Philippines, ranging from 8 months to 15 years old, are eligible for adoption. They reside in public or private facilities throughout the country.

2. Why is there an urgent need for adoptive families for children in the Philippines?

While these children receive excellent medical care, they need a family to provide them with individual love and attention, which is crucial for their overall development and well-being.

3. What adoption regulations apply to adoptions from the Philippines?

Adoption between the United States and the Philippines is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention, ensuring that all adoptions meet strict requirements to protect the best interests of the children.

4. Who is eligible to adopt from the Philippines?

There are specific criteria hopeful adoptive parents must meet to adopt from the Philippines. Married couples (legally married for at least three years, with no more than two divorces per couple) and single women are eligible to adopt children ages 9-15 years old from the Special Home Finding Program. Applicants must be at least 27 years old and at least 16 years older than the child.

5. Are there specific health and background requirements for adoptive parents?

Adoptive parents must be mentally and physically fit to parent, with no unacceptable medical issues such as severe diabetes, obesity (BMI over 35), cancer, kidney or major transplants, and other serious health conditions. They must have a stable family environment, a household income of at least $40,000 per year, and be financially stable.

6. What education and religious requirements must adoptive parents meet?

Adoptive parents must actively practice some form of religion to which they will expose their child and be open to and respectful of the child's cultural background and heritage.

7. How do I start the adoption process for a child from the Philippines?

Begin the adoption process by contacting an adoption specialist and starting the process of obtaining a Home Study report from a licensed adoption agency. Prepare your dossier by gathering and notarizing the required documents, then submit the dossier for review and approval.

8. What documents are included in the dossier for adopting from the Philippines?

The dossier may include the Home Study report, notarized reference letters, application form, birth and marriage certificates, physical and psychological evaluation reports, character reference letters, income tax return, police clearance, USCIS immigration approval, and other required documents.

9. What is the travel requirement for adopting from the Philippines?

Both parents are encouraged to travel to the Philippines to familiarize themselves with the child's heritage. If only one parent can travel, additional paperwork is necessary. The stay in the Philippines is approximately 7 days to complete the necessary paperwork and obtain the child's passport and US visa.

10. What are post-placement reports, and when are they due for Philippines adoptions?

Post-placement reports are updates to ensure the adopted child is thriving, including 6-8 photos with captions, details about the child's health and well-being, and information on family adjustment. For Philippines adoptions, reports should be submitted at 1 month, 3 months, 5 months, and 8 months.

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11. What is required to finalize an adoption in the US?

After meeting the post-placement reporting requirements, families must finalize the adoption in their local court, and provide the final adoption decree, US birth certificate, and US Certificate of Citizenship to the adoption agency.