How does one adopt a child in the Philippines? Whether you are adopting a child from any of the local orphanages and DSWD offices in the country, or the child of a relative, or maybe even your own child, you need to be aware of the requirements and processes you have to go through. Be forewarned that this is not a simple process. Unlike when applying for a marriage license or registering the birth of a child, adopting a child involves a long and tedious process of qualifying the adopting couple or family and waiting for the approval (or disapproval) of the application. So it is important that you are physically, mentally, and financially prepared before you decide to take the plunge.
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.
Source: www.dswd.gov.ph
http://philpad.com/how-to-adopt-a-child-in-the-philippines-adoption-requirements-procedures/
MasterCitizen's Blog 
hello, ung firstborn q blank ang name ng tatay sa birthcertificate and now married nq ung hubby q din ang nagpalaki sa kanya, panu kaya ang process para maging apelyido xa ng asawa q? Thank you.
Hi Aian,
Since hindi siya ang biological father ng bata, he needs to adopt your child para magamit ng anak mo ang apelido ng husband mo.
MC
hi there. me and my husband is willing to adopt a baby girl new born and we are willing to travel there to have our baby if anyone interested. we live in Canada. pls text +16477707773
Hello are u still interested adopting a baby im 3months pregnant philippines. 639756512563
pls help, ung tita ko po inaadopt ung bunso naming kapatid on process na po asa kurte na din po kaso bigla po kcng my nag yari na di pag kakaunawaan c tita at c mama. ngaun po gzto ng ipacancel ni mama ung adoption. ask ko po f panu po gagawin nia? f san po xia unang pupunta at mag kano po kaya pag ipapacancel? thank u
Hindi pa naman approve so pwede pang hindi mag comply yung mama mo sa mga susunod na proseso.
kahit po b nakapag justified na po c mama? tapos na po nag justified c mama n papaadopt nia ung bunso nmin. thank u po.
Hmm umabot na pala sa ganung proseso. Dapat mag konsulta kayo sa abogado kung desidido na kayong ihinto iyon.
hello po sir/ma’am, ask ko po if ano unang gawin po sa pag adopt ng bata? ung hipag q po is nakipag hiwlay xa sa unang asawa hindi po cla ksal at ung bata po is dto po xa sa bhay nkatira mula baby xa 6yrs. old na po ung bata ngaun.ikinsal po ung kpatd q and hipag q nung 2016 and gusto po i adopt ng kpatid q ung pamangkin q(anak ng hipag q). may verbal na din po clang usapan sa kabilang party dahil po ay nakipag usap din cla about sa adoption. 2 kc ang anak ng hipag q girl and boy po at ung girl po na anak ay i aadopt po ng kabilang party bale may asawa na dn po ung ex ng hipag q at kasal na din.ma ayos nman po ang uspan nla at pumyag cla sa adoption. humihingi po aq ng advice qng anu po ang dpat gawin dahil gusto naming mpalitan ang name and surname ng bata gr. 1 po xa at ang gmt nyang pangalan ay ung new name and surname ng kapatid q po pro hnd pa po nmin npapalitan sa psa/nso. gaanu po kablis ang process?and anu po ang dapat naming gawin sir/ma’am? pls! reply po. thank you! God bless…
Ang kailangan nyo ay abogado kasi idadaan sa korte yan eh.
Please help me. I wanted to adopt my own child. My gf and i are no longer living rogether. But we are friends and in good terms. My son in now 1 year old and grew up with me since birth without her mother. Since my ex and i are not married my son is iligitimate. My son use my surname. Please advice me on how to process the adoption of my owm son. Thank you and more power!
Hi Benedick,
Best to consult a lawyer regarding this case. They will be able to help you determine the best steps to take in adopting your son.
MC
Please help me. I wanted to adopt my own child. My gf and i are no longer living rogether. But we are friends and in good terms. My son in now 1 year old and grew up with me since birth without her mother. Since my ex and i are not married my son is iligitimate. My son use my surname. Please advice me on how to process the adoption of my owm son. Thank you and more power!
Hi Benedick,
You will have to consult a lawyer to find out how you can adopt your own child.
MC
Hi im 29 ..my anak po aq n illigitimte child at ung papa po nya s birth certificte ndi po xa ung totoong ama..ngyn po my asawa po aq ngyn at ksal kmi gusto ng asawa q n iadopt ung bby 8 yers old n po bby q..ano po kea kelangn gwin nmin..kelngn pb ng consent ng papa nya s birth certificte kht ndi n xa ngsusuport since pinanganak xa..i need advice thank you and adnvce😊
Yes kailangan pa din nakapirma kasi siya doon eh.
Goodeve aq po c 28 at almost 4years n kme ngsasama ng asawa q..stable nmn ang trabaho ng asawa ko..kaso til now wla pa kme baby at tlagang pangarap nmin mgaswa yan mgkababy..minsan nga nwawalan na aq ngpagasa..kaya gusto ko tlga mgadopt ng baby..handa ko ibgay lahat sa mgging anak ko kme mgasawa..
Kung buo na sa loob nyo ang mag adopt mag inquire na kayo sa DSWD. Pero tingin ko bata pa naman kayo. Try mo lang bigyan ng 1 taon pa and mag pa consult kayo sa doctor.
Hi po….ako po ay 41 nag iisa s buhay.gusto ko sana mag adopt isang batang babae palalakihin at pag aaralin ko,,ituturing kong zarili kong anak,,,,ako ay
Labandera.pero kaya kong itaguyod ang pag aaral ng aampunin ko kung ipagkamatiwala s akin.kaso,,,,mukhang d ako mapagbigyan dahil s estado ko s buhay.tulungan niyo po ako gusto ko po talaga magkaroon ng aampunin
Para naman may mapupuntahan ang mga pinagpapaguran ko s araw araw.hindi ako mayaman pero ipinapangako kong hindi ko cua pababayaan.salamat po.
DSWD ang makakatulong sa iyo sa mga ganyan eh. Try mo mag inquire sa knila.
Hi gudeve po tanung ko lang po process ng adoption kung yung anak ko mag 18 na sa september then yung marriage namin nung biological mother nya was fake and yung apelyido ng anak ko sa mother nya nakasunod.anu po kaya maadvise nyo.iaadopt po sya ng malayung relative..salamat
Hi Jonathan,
We hope these information help:
Who are qualified to adopt (in the Philippines)?
1. Filipino citizen or alien residing in the Philippines
2. Of legal age
3. At least 16 years older than adoptee, except when the adopting party is the biological parent.
4. Has the capacity to act and assume all the rights and duties related to the exercise of parental authority.
5. Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime involving moral issues.
6. Is in a good position to support, educate, and care for his/her legitimate and illegitimate children and the child to be adopted.
7. Has undergone the pre-adoption services.
8. 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.
9. 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?
1. Any person below 18 years old who has been administratively or judicially declared available for adoption.
2. Legitimate son/daughter of one spouse by the other spouse.
3. An illegitimate son/daughter by a qualified adopter/s to improve his/her status to that of legitimacy.
4. 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.
5. A child whose adoption has been previously rescinded or cancelled.
6. 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?
1. PSA birth certificate
2. PSA marriage certificate (if adopters are married)
3. Written consent to the adoption of the legitimate, adopted, or illegitimate children living with the applicant who are aged 10 years old and above.
4. Health certificates of adopting couple and their family members.
5. NBI Clearance or Police Clearance
6. Latest ITR (Income Tax Return) or any proof of income.
7. Three character references
8. Statement of Acceptance from designated guardian
9. Latest family picture and home photos
10. Home study report
What are the processes involved?
1. Adopting party must attend the adoption counseling facilitated by the DSWD.
2. Submit application requirements to the DSWD to trigger preparation of home study report.
3. Stand-by for the approval or disapproval of the application.
4. If approved, the agency will facilitate matching or family selection.
5. Pre-placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. When cleared, the child will be placed with the adoptive parents.
6. This will trigger the start of supervised trial custody to see how the child adjusts to his new environment.
7. When cleared, the family will be issued the Adoption Decree/Certificate of Finality
8. The adoptive parents will be issued the amended birth certificate of the adopted child.
9. The family will be offered provision of post-adoptive services.
MC
I’m from Cavite po. Saang DSWD po kaya kami pede mag inquire? Dun Na Rin po ba ipo-process o may hearing pa ba yun sa court? By the way Yun aking 1st born Ang i-a-adopt ng husband ko. Thanks.
Hi Angel,
1. Anong apelido ang gamit ng anak mo? Apelido mo ba o ng biological father niya? Kung apelido ng biological father niya ang nakalagay sa birth certificate niya, kailangan mo ng consent ng biological father ng bata bago siya ma-adopt ng husband mo.
2. Maaari ninyong i-file ang petition for adoption sa Family Court ng probinsya or city kung saan kayo nakatira.
3. Kasama sa adoption ang request ninyo to change the child’s last name to the last name of your husband.
4. Kung 10 years old or older na ang anak mo (but not 18 years old and above), kailangan mo rin hingin ang consent niya about the adoption.
MC
Hello po ako si 31 taga cebu, gusto ng fiance ko po na mag adopt ng bb.. Gusto nman yong ipapanganak pa lng… Sanggol… Taga usa po yong mapapa ngasawa ko… Sana tulungon ninyo kami makahanap dahil gustong gusto po nmin… Paano po pag process dahil namin dahil sa usa.
Hi Nimshil,
Narito ang proseso ng adoption:
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.
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.
MC
Good Day,
Me and my Husband are financially stable and we need a kid. We cannot choose kung anong age right? We prefer baby kasi sana like 2 months pa lng. And how long will the process take? Thank you.
There will be an assessment by the DSWD regarding on your status/capabilities we do not know how long will it take.
Hi,
Pwede bang mag ampon ng baby.ung income Lng 500 a day.tanong kurin what requirements po.salamat…
May evaluation naman kasi yan eh. Inquire mo na sa DSWD ang proseso.
Hi,panu po kung yung 2 pamangkin ko ay aampunin ko at single po ako pwede po ba yun?kc sa akin na lumaki at ako n ngpapaaral sa mga bata kc d nman kya ng magulang nla na hiwalay na din po
Hi Ray,
Mag inquire ka sa pinaka malapit na DSWD office para sa proseso ng adoption. Kailangan mong mag attend ng mga seminars, etc. Basahin mo din ang article na ito, baka makatulong: http://philpad.com/how-to-adopt-a-child-in-the-philippines-adoption-requirements-procedures/
MC
how much nmn mppbyad onces mag ampon ka…
DSWD ang mag se set nyan eh.
hi.. i just want to ask how is the processing and what are the requirements if my legal husband wants to adopt my illegitimate daughter_? my husband is a foreigner and my daughter is 11 years old.. please help.
Hi kindly read the blog. What you need is already there. Thanks