The Philippine government’s Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB) reviews potential parents dossier and matches available children with approved adoptive families. The Philippine adoption board takes their task very seriously in matching children with families. Following three or more post-placement visits with reports and pictures sent to the Philippines, ICAB will issue their Consent to Adopt so that the adoption can be finalized under United States laws. Hand in Hand has worked cooperatively with the Philippine government in placing over 2000 children since 1974.

WHO CAN BE ADOPTED?

• Children ages 2 years to 16 years.

• Sibling groups are available.

• Children are of Asian/Malay/Spanish descent.

Each child placing agency receives a number from ICAB of how many applications for young (under the age of 9), healthy child adoptions they can submit each year. We have met our application quota for 2020, please contact us to talk about the possibility of submitting an application in 2021.

WHO CAN ADOPT?

Couples must be married at least three years (or married at least one year plus several years of cohabitation).

Single, heterosexual women may adopt but must be accepting of a child six years old or older, of either gender, and with minor correctable medical conditions or negative background.

The InterCountry Adoption Board of the Philippines (ICAB) requires practicing Christian families.

At time of application, adoptive parents must be at least 27 years old and at least 16 years older than the child to be adopted; a maximum of 45 years age gap between the adoptive parents and adoptive child should be maintained except in cases where the circumstances will be favorable to the child and in cases of older children.

The Philippines has a one-year rule, which requires a family to wait one year from the birth or adoption of one child before an adoption application can be filed.

Preference is given to childless or Filipino heritage families.

Applicants seeking a relative or a special needs child will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The ICAB provides updated family requirements, including acceptable medical conditions or procedures that may limit a family’s application status. Please contact Hand in Hand for the most up-to-date information.

Travel Requirements

At least one parent must travel.

Only one trip required.

Minimum stay of seven days (in order to meet the child, see the orphanage, and visit ICAB).

Time Frames

Dossier to Match – 24 or more months.

Match to Placement – approximately 4 to 6 months.

Your child’s adoption will be finalized in the state where you reside, following the post-placement period as outlined above.