Philippines Adoption
Wide Horizons For Children has worked on behalf of children in the Philippines since the early 1980s. Currently, the focus of the program is the placement of older children, sibling groups, children with medical needs, and relative adoptions. Limited need for families hoping to bring home a young child, through a longer process. The Philippines is a Hague Convention Country. Foreign Provider is the Central Authority of the Philippines, named the Inter-country Adoption Board (ICAB).
Philippines Adoption FAQs
Q: Am I eligible for the Philippines program?
A: To apply to this program, you must meet the following criteria:
Married Heterosexual Couples or Single Women, Ages 27 and Older:
- Married three years or more; one year of marriage and two years of cohabitation is also recognized.
- Adoptive mother must be no more than 45 years older than the child, at time of referral.
- At least five years of strong family religious practice preferred.
- Relative adoptions welcome.
- Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
- All applicants should have a clean criminal history. However, some minor infractions may be accepted.
- Please contact Wide Horizons For Children to discuss specific eligibility requirements.
Q: Who sets the eligibility requirements?
A: Eligibility requirements for adoptive parents are determined by adoption officials in the child’s country of birth. In the Philippines, all adoptions are overseen by the Central Authority of the government, named the Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB).
Q: Who are the children available in the Philippines?
A:
- Boys and girls as young as age 1 and usually no older than age 8 are typically matched through this program.
- Applicants must be open to a child of either gender.
- Qualified applicants may ask to be matched with two or more siblings.
- Children are cared for in orphanages or foster homes. They are usually placed into care due to the death of one or both parents, poverty, abandonment, abuse, neglect, social stigma or the presence of special needs. Specialized services are provided to children who qualify while in care.
- Each child is matched with a family by the Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB) and staff persons who have actually cared for the child. This results in a highly personalized process. For example, a family may be chosen for a particular child based on religious practice, a physical similarity or talent the child shares with the adoptive parents.
Q: How long does it take to adopt from the Philippines?
A: Families of non-Filipino heritage may wait up to 5 years for the referral of a child under age 5 after ICAB approval. Families of Filipino heritage may receive a referral 2-3 years after ICAB approval. Wait times are considerably shorter for families adopting an older child, siblings group, and/or children with medical needs (generally 12-14 months after home study completion).
Q: Will I need to travel to the Philippines?
A: One trip of about one week is required to bring your child home. You are likely to travel four to six months after accepting your child’s referral. If married, only one parent needs to travel, although both parents are encouraged to make the trip. If only one spouse travels, that person must be a U.S. Citizen. You will receive excellent support services during your trip, and Accommodations in the Philippines are modern and comfortable. English is widely spoken.
Q: How much does an adoption from the Philippines cost?
A: Financing Your Adoption explains how Wide Horizons For Children structures adoption fees and provides information on funding your adoption.
Download the Adoption Information Guide for specific fee sheets on each Wide Horizons For Children adoption program.
I wanted to let other parents of older adoptees know that adopting an older child is difficult, but can be very successful. We adopted our son David in October of 2003 from the Philippines when he was 7 years old. David was energetic and didn’t speak a word of English. David graduated high school in May 2016. At graduation, he was awarded the Kilburn Bowl, which is a prestigious award for the student who had made the most improvement and contributed to the school.
Laura on David (in photo above), Adopted through the Wide Horizons For Children Philippines Program
Interested in adopting from the Philippines?
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