To help you get started, here are the list of requirements and procedures in adopting a child in the

Philippines. These were lifted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) website
and Philpad.com. These are based on the Domestic Adoption Law (RA 8552).

Who are qualified to adopt (in the Philippines)?

Filipino citizen or alien residing in the Philippines

Of legal age

At least 16 years older than adoptee, except when the adopting party is the biological parent.

Has the capacity to act and assume all the rights and duties related to the exercise of parental authority.

Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime involving moral issues.

Is in a good position to support, educate, and care for his/her legitimate and illegitimate children and
the child to be adopted.

Has undergone the pre-adoption services.

An alien may adopt if he/she has diplomatic relations with the Philippines, and has been certified by
his/her diplomatic or consular office or any appropriated agency that he/she is qualified to adopt in his
country, and that his/her government will allow the adoption.

An alien who has been residing in the Philippines for at least three (3) continuous years prior to the filing
of the application for adoption and maintains such residence until the adoption decree is entered.

Who can be adopted?

Any person below 18 years old who has been administratively or judicially declared available for
adoption.

Legitimate son/daughter of one spouse by the other spouse.

An illegitimate son/daughter by a qualified adopter/s to improve his/her status to that of legitimacy.

A person of legal age if, prior to the adoption, said person has been consistently considered and treated
by the adopter/s as his /her own child since minority.

A child whose adoption has been previously rescinded or cancelled.

A child whose biological parent/s has died provided that no proceedings shall be initiated within 6
months from the time of death of the said parent/s.

What are the requirements?

PSA birth certificate

PSA marriage certificate (if adopters are married)

Written consent to the adoption of the legitimate, adopted, or illegitimate children living with the
applicant who are aged 10 years old and above.

Health certificates of adopting couple and their family members.

NBI Clearance or Police Clearance

Latest ITR (Income Tax Return) or any proof of income.

Three character references

Statement of Acceptance from designated guardian

Latest family picture and home photos

Home study report

What are the processes involved?

Adopting party must attend the adoption counseling facilitated by the DSWD.

Submit application requirements to the DSWD to trigger preparation of home study report.

Stand-by for the approval or disapproval of the application.

If approved, the agency will facilitate matching or family selection.

Pre-placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. When cleared, the child will be placed
with the adoptive parents.

This will trigger the start of supervised trial custody to see how the child adjusts to his new environment.

When cleared, the family will be issued the Adoption Decree/Certificate of Finality

The adoptive parents will be issued the amended birth certificate of the adopted child.

The family will be offered provision of post-adoptive services.