Related Information

Inter-Country Adoption (Step-by-step procedure) RA8043

IMPORTANT : Inter-country adoption process does not require the intervention of a lawyer. The Inter-Country Adoption Board and its foreign counterpart will process  the required papers and documents. At your option, you may engage the services of lawyer to act as your liaison to expedite the processing of documents before the Inter-country Adoption Board.

Filing an Application with ICAB

through a Foreign Adoption Agency

Foreign national residing abroad and who is interested in adopting a child from the Philippines may file an application with the Inter-country Adoption Board. This application is filed through a foreign adoption agency accredited by ICAB preferably at the place of residence of the prospective adopting parents. The waiting period for the Board to approve the application is 3 months to 1 year.
 

Child recommended for inter-country adoption
The DSWD recommends for inter-country adoption a child previously committed to the Philippine government. This recommendation certifies that inter-country adoption is in the best interest of the child.

Matching
The Inter-Country Adoption Placement Committee matches the child with a person or couple interested in adopting and refers its proposal back to ICAB for approval. The Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995 specifically prohibits contact between the child and prospective adoptive parent (s) before such matching has been approved by the Board
 

Placement Authority
The Inter-Country Adoption Board notifies the foreign adoption agency of its matching decision within five days. The adoptive parents have 15 days to respond. If they agree to the proposed match, the Board issues a Placement Authority within five days. This placement authority allows the applicants to take custody of the child.

Visa Applications
The child appears at the appropriate foreign Embassy for his/her visa interview. The Inter-Country Adoption Board serves as a proxy for the adoptive parents. ICAB prepares all the necessary documents and fees, including passport and medical examination.
 

Child travels to a Foreign Land
The Inter-Country Adoption Act requires the adoptive parent(s) to escort the child from the Philippines to the country of destination. The adoptive parents must arrive no later than thirty days after the appropriate visa has been issued.
 

Supervision of Trial Custody
Upon assuming custody of the child, the applicants enter a six-month trial period where the accredited foreign adoption agency monitors the child's welfare.
 

Petition for Adoption
The foreign nationals adoptive parents should file an adoption petition with a court of his home country within 6 months of the completion of the trial custody period.

Final Adoption Decree
The final adoption decree issued by a foreign court should be submitted to ICAB within one month from issuance.

:: For the alternative procedure click here.

  Home

Disclaimer

   Contact Us

  Site Map

       www.gtalawphil.com ::