Adoption Process | How Does Adoption Work (Guide)

Adopting a Child in the Philippines: A 2025 Guide under the New Adoption Law (RA 11642)

Adopting a child in the Philippines has become significantly more streamlined and accessible in recent years. In 2022, the government passed An Act Strengthening Alternative Child Care by Providing for an Administrative Process of Domestic Adoption, Reorganizing for the Purpose the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB) into the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8043, Republic Act No. 11222, and Republic Act No. 10165, Repealing Republic Act No. 8552, and Republic Act No. 9523, and Appropriating Funds therefor. ¹ or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, which overhauled the adoption process. This new law replaced older adoption laws and shifted most adoptions from the courts to a new administrative agency.

In this updated guide, we’ll walk you through how RA 11642 changed the rules, what the new process looks like (for both domestic and inter-country adoptions), the costs involved, and how the National Authority for Child Care² now plays a central role. We’ll keep things friendly and easy to understand, so you can confidently navigate the journey of adoption in the Philippines.

RA 11642 and the Laws It Replaced

Before RA 11642, Philippine adoption was governed by several different laws, which often made the process lengthy and complicated. RA 11642 is a landmark law that repealed or updated those older laws to simplify and unify the system.

Notably, it repealed:

RA 8552 – Domestic Adoption Act of 1998³
RA 9523 – Which required a court to declare a child legally available for adoption⁴
It also amended RA 8043 – Inter-Country Adoption Act of 1995⁵

Additionally, related laws like RA 11222 (Simulated Birth Rectification Act)⁶ and RA 10165 (Foster Care Act of 2012)⁷ were updated to align with the new system.

In short, RA 11642 consolidates Philippine adoption laws. It aims to make adoption more accessible, less costly, and faster by moving it from the courtroom to a more efficient administrative process, overseen by the newly created National Authority for Child Care (NACC).

This is a huge change intended to uphold the best interests of the child – getting kids into loving permanent homes as quickly and safely as possible.

From Courtrooms to NACC: Administrative Adoption vs. Judicial Adoption

Under the old system (RA 8552), adopting a child required filing a petition in court, hiring a lawyer, attending court hearings, and waiting for a judge’s decree. This judicial process often took years to finish⁸.

Now, RA 11642 makes administrative adoption the new normal, meaning the process is handled by the NACC instead of a judge. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary legal hurdles and speed up adoptions without compromising the vetting process.

Primary Path – Administrative Adoption

For most cases, you now go through NACC’s administrative adoption process. You file your application with the NACC (not the court), and NACC processes and approves the adoption without any court hearing. Once all requirements are met, the NACC issues an Adoption Order, which has the same legal effect as a court’s adoption decree.⁹

Judicial Adoption as an Option

Although the new law centers on administrative adoption, judicial adoption is still allowed in some situations. For example:

If a court case was already pending when the new law took effect, petitioners could opt to continue in court.
The Supreme Court guidelines in 2022 clarified that no new domestic adoption petitions should be filed in court, but those already filed may proceed.¹⁰
In rare cases where court intervention is necessary, judicial adoption may still be pursued.

This means the administrative process is now the default, and going to court is the rare exception.

Why the Change?

Moving to an administrative model removes the need for multiple court hearings and legal formalities that caused delays. It centralizes decision-making in a specialized body (NACC) that deals only with adoptions and alternative child care, making the process more efficient and consistent.

Prospective parents also save on legal expenses because:

You typically won’t need a lawyer
You no longer pay for court filings or publication
You get faster turnaround time

In summary, RA 11642 transformed Philippine adoption from a judicial proceeding into an administrative one, streamlining paperwork and significantly cutting down processing time—while still keeping the judicial route open for special cases.

Meet the NACC: The National Authority for Child Care

One of the most important reforms under RA 11642 is the creation of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).¹¹ Think of the NACC as your one-stop shop for all adoption matters in the Philippines.

An Independent Body Under the DSWD

The NACC is an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),¹² but it operates with autonomy and has its own governing board.

The NACC was formed by reorganizing the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB)—the former body in charge of foreign adoptions. Now, the NACC absorbs and expands that function to handle both domestic and inter-country adoptions, as well as foster care, kinship care, and more.

✅ In short, the NACC is now the central authority for all child-placement services in the Philippines.

What Does the NACC Do?

In a word: everything related to adoption and alternative child care.

The NACC:

Processes domestic and inter-country adoption applications
Accredits child-placing agencies and licensed social workers
Oversees matching of children to adoptive parents
Issues Adoption Orders (instead of courts)
Maintains a central registry of available children and approved parents
Provides post-adoption services like follow-ups and support groups

By centralizing these duties, RA 11642 ensures uniform standards and faster processing.¹³

Replacing DSWD’s Role

Previously, the DSWD handled home studies and coordinated placements, while the courts issued decrees.

Now, NACC takes over those functions, but the DSWD continues to support during the transition period (up to 3 years as mandated in the law). In fact, DSWD regional offices currently act as Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) while NACC builds its full regional structure.¹⁴

So today, if you want to adopt, you’ll file your application through the NACC or its regional offices (RACCOs)—not through the court, and not directly through your LGU’s social welfare office like before.

Who Can Adopt and Who Can Be Adopted (Requirements under RA 11642)

Even with new procedures, the basic qualifications to adopt a child in the Philippines remain similar to the previous law, with a few important updates under RA 11642.¹⁵ The law ensures that adoptive parents are capable, and that children eligible for adoption truly need a permanent home.

✔️ Who May Adopt

To qualify as an adoptive parent under the new law, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Age and Relationship:
You must be at least 25 years old, emotionally mature, and at least 16 years older than the child you plan to adopt.¹⁶

This age gap can be waived if you are adopting your stepchild or a close relative (e.g., niece, nephew, grandchild).¹⁷
Married couples must adopt jointly, unless:
- One spouse is adopting the legitimate or illegitimate child of the other, or¹⁸
- The spouses are legally separated and the adopting spouse has custody.¹⁹

2. Character and Capacity:
You must:

Have full civil capacity and legal rights²⁰
Be of good moral character²¹
Be psychologically and physically fit²²
Have no conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude²³
Show financial capacity to support the child²⁴

3. Residency (for Foreigners):

Filipinos abroad can adopt.²⁵
Foreign nationals must have been living in the Philippines for at least 3 continuous years, unless married to a Filipino, adopting a Filipino spouse’s child, or adopting a relative within the 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity²⁶
Residency may be waived in these special cases.²⁷

✔️ Who May Be Adopted

The law specifies several types of children who may be adopted:

1. Orphaned, Abandoned, or Neglected Children:
Children who have no parents or whose parents have abandoned or neglected them, and who are declared “legally available for adoption” by the NACC, are eligible.²⁸ Under RA 11642, this declaration is part of the administrative process (no more court filing under RA 9523) (source).

2. Relatives Within the Fourth Degree:
You may adopt a blood or relative kin within the 4th degree of consanguinity or affinity—this includes:²⁹

Niece or nephew³⁰
Grandchild³¹
Cousin³²
Younger sibling³³

Relative adoptions may proceed faster, but still go through the NACC process to ensure the child’s best interests.

3. Stepchild Adoption:
If you are married to a child’s biological parent, you may adopt your stepchild.³⁴

The 16-year age difference is waived³⁵
Only one spouse (you) needs to file³⁶
Consent of the biological parent (your spouse) and the child (if 10 years old or above) is required³⁷

4. Children 18 and Above:
As a rule, only minors (under 18) may be adopted.³⁸

An exception exists if the petition for adoption was filed while the child was a minor, even if the child turns 18 during the process.³⁹

5. Consent Requirements:

Children aged 10 and above must provide written consent to the adoption⁴⁰
Living biological parents must consent unless their parental rights were terminated or they’ve abandoned the child⁴¹
NACC handles the process of securing these consents legally and ethically⁴²

The Domestic Adoption Process Under RA 11642 (Step-by-Step)

Adopting a child domestically — that is, a Filipino child by Filipino parents residing in the Philippines — now follows a clear and simplified administrative process overseen by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).

While many steps are familiar (home study, matching, supervised custody), they are now conducted without court intervention. Here’s how it works:

1. Attend a Pre-Adoption Orientation/Seminar

Prospective adoptive parents are required to attend a Pre-Adoption Orientation or Counseling Session conducted by the NACC or DSWD.

This orientation covers:
- The legal process
- Rights and responsibilities of adoptive parents
- Psychological and emotional readiness
After completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Attendance — a required document for your application

📚 More about NACC counseling requirements here⁴³

2. File Your Adoption Application with the NACC

Once you’ve completed the seminar, you’ll submit your formal application to adopt, along with required documents, through the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) — usually at a DSWD Regional Office.

Required documents typically include:

NSO/PSA-issued birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if married)
Medical/health certificate
NBI or police clearance
Certificate of employment or proof of income
Letters of character reference
Certificate of seminar attendance

📝 Tip: Check with your local RACCO for the latest checklist. Filing fees are minimal — just enough to cover admin processing.

📖 See a general checklist from FilipiKnow⁴⁴

3. Home Study by an Accredited Social Worker

After receiving your application, the NACC will assign a licensed social worker to conduct a Home Study.

This includes:

Home visits
Interviews with you (and your spouse, if applicable)
Assessing your motivation, lifestyle, stability, and capacity to care for a child

The result is a Home Study Report (HSR), which is submitted to NACC for review.

📚 Spotlight: What social workers assess in an adoption⁴⁵

4. Application Review and Approval

NACC’s central office reviews your Home Study Report and supporting documents.

If you’re approved, you become an Approved Adoptive Parent
If improvements are needed, you may be guided to address issues and reapply

5. Matching of the Child with the Adoptive Parents

NACC’s Child Placement Committee matches your profile with children who are legally available for adoption.

Matching is based on:

Your preferences and parenting capacity
The child’s needs, health, and background

If a child is identified, their case profile and background are shared with you. If you agree to the match, the placement proceeds.

🧩 More about matching via NACC⁴⁶

6. Entrustment and Child Placement

Once matched, the child is formally entrusted to your care. This is marked by the signing of a Placement Agreement.

This begins the trial cohabitation period, also known as Supervised Trial Custody.

7. Supervised Trial Custody

The child lives with you for a minimum of 6 months, during which social workers conduct regular check-ins.

This period allows:

Adjustment for the child and adoptive family
Social workers to ensure that the placement is stable

At the end of this period, if the NACC deems the placement successful, the final step can begin.

📖 How the trial custody works⁴⁷

8. Issuance of the Adoption Order

After the successful trial period, the NACC will issue an Administrative Adoption Order — no need for a court order.

This order:

Finalizes the legal parent-child relationship
Grants the child all rights of a legitimate child under the law
Serves as the equivalent of a court-issued decree of adoption

This is the most important legal milestone in the adoption journey.

📜 NACC’s legal authority to issue Adoption Orders under RA 11642

9. Registration of the Adoption Order and New Birth Certificate

The NACC will register the Adoption Order with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Local Civil Registrar.

A new amended birth certificate will be issued:

Reflecting the adoptive parents’ names
Possibly a changed surname (if requested)

Records are kept confidential, and the child’s new legal identity is protected.

Inter-Country Adoption (Adopting a Child from the Philippines if You’re Abroad)

If you’re a foreigner or a Filipino living overseas, and you wish to adopt a Filipino child, you’re in luck — the process is now more streamlined and regulated, thanks to RA 11642, which placed inter-country adoptions under the unified umbrella of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).

RA 11642 and Inter-Country Adoption

Previously, inter-country adoption was governed solely by RA 8043⁴⁸ and handled by the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB). Under RA 11642:

ICAB has now been absorbed into NACC
NACC is the new central authority handling all inter-country adoptions
The process must align with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption,⁴⁹ to which the Philippines is a signatory

📚 DSWD/NACC Inter-Country Adoption Guidelines⁵⁰

Steps in the Inter-Country Adoption Process

1. Apply Through Your Home Country’s Central Authority or Accredited Agency

If you live abroad:

Begin by contacting your country’s central adoption authority (especially if your country is a Hague Convention member)
Or apply through a NACC-accredited foreign adoption agency
You’ll undergo a home study and prepare a dossier of documents, including:
- Proof of eligibility
- Background checks
- Financial capacity
- Health certificates
- Letters of reference

This dossier is then sent to the NACC in the Philippines for evaluation.

🌐 More details from FilipiKnow⁵¹

2. Child Matching and Referral by NACC

The NACC maintains a roster of children legally available for inter-country adoption.

Children are referred for international adoption only if no local adoptive family can be found (principle of subsidiarity)
NACC’s Child Placement Committee conducts the matching
Once a match is approved, a Referral Packet is sent to you (via your agency), which includes:
- Child’s medical, social, and psychological profile
- Background information and history

You’ll be given time to review and accept the referral.

3. Issuance of the Placement Authority

Once you accept the referral, NACC issues a Placement Authority — the formal document authorizing you to adopt and travel for the child.

You then:

Prepare travel documents for the child (passport, visa, exit permits)
Arrange for travel to the Philippines (at least one adoptive parent is usually required to travel)

4. Entrustment and Child Handover

While in the Philippines, you’ll:

Visit the child’s care facility or foster placement
Participate in bonding sessions
Receive the child in an Entrustment Ceremony, often conducted by the social worker or agency

After this, you are officially allowed to bring the child to your home country under trial custody.

5. Supervised Trial Custody in Your Home Country

After the child arrives in your country, there will be post-placement supervision for around 6 months, depending on the receiving country’s requirements.

Social workers in your country will:

Visit your home
Submit progress reports to the NACC

Once the NACC is satisfied, they issue a Consent to Adoption (or Affidavit of Consent to Adopt).

6. Finalization of Adoption in Your Home Country

The final step is the legal adoption of the child in your country.

Depending on where you live:

You may file a court petition for final adoption
Or register the adoption administratively if your country recognizes the NACC-issued consent

Once finalized:

Your child becomes your legal child
They may now be eligible for citizenship and benefits in your country

Inter-Country Adoption Fees (as of 2024–2025)

Here are the standard NACC/ICAB fees for inter-country adoption:

Fee Type	Amount
Application Fee	USD $200
Processing Fee (1 child)	USD $2,000
Processing Fee (siblings)	USD $3,000

In addition, you will shoulder:

Child’s passport and visa fees
Medical exam costs
Airfare for the child and yourself
Your agency’s fees in your home country
Translation, notary, legalization, and immigration filing fees

💡 Tip: Always check with your foreign agency and the NACC for the latest fee schedule and instructions

Important Safeguards in Inter-Country Adoption

RA 11642 ensures:

All adoptions are ethical and transparent
No “baby-buying” or child trafficking
Matching is child-centered, not demand-driven
Procedures must follow the Hague Convention and Philippine laws

🛡️ ICAB/NACC works with the Department of Foreign Affairs and immigration to protect the child’s rights throughout the process.

Adoption Costs and Processing Time Under RA 11642

One of the most common questions prospective parents ask is:
“How much does adoption cost?” and “How long does it take?”

With the enactment of RA 11642, both costs and processing time have been significantly reduced, particularly for domestic adoption.

🏠 Cost of Domestic Adoption

✅ Good news: Domestic administrative adoption is now very affordable.

Thanks to RA 11642:

The services of the NACC and DSWD — such as orientation, home study, matching, and supervision — are free of charge
The only major expenses are personal processing costs, such as:
- PSA/NSO-issued certificates (birth, marriage)
- NBI/Police clearance fees
- Medical exams
- Notarization fees
- Travel or courier fees (if required)
- Minimal filing fee at the RACCO (ask your local NACC office for updated rates)

You no longer have to worry about:

Lawyer’s fees (unless you choose to hire one)
Court filing and publication fees
Professional pleading and appearance costs

“The cost of adoption will also decrease as applicants only need to pay filing fees.”

📝 In previous years, the cost of a judicial adoption could run ₱100,000 to ₱200,000+ due to legal representation, court publication, and hearings. That has now been largely eliminated for administrative adoptions.

✈️ Cost of Inter-Country Adoption

Inter-country adoption still involves higher expenses, mostly on the part of the adoptive parents abroad. These include:

Fee Type	Approximate Cost
Application Fee (NACC/ICAB)	USD $200
Processing Fee (1 child)	USD $2,000
Processing Fee (siblings)	USD $3,000
Child’s medical exam, visa, passport	Varies by country
Adoptive parent(s) travel costs	Varies
Foreign agency/home study fees	USD $2,000–$5,000+
Post-placement supervision	Often included

These fees help fund:

The child’s care and documentation
Government processing on both ends
International coordination and travel preparations

⚠️ All inter-country adoptions are monitored for compliance with the Hague Convention, ensuring that the process is ethical and child-focused — not commodified.

⏳ How Long Does Adoption Take Under RA 11642?

The administrative process under RA 11642 has drastically reduced the adoption timeline, particularly for domestic cases.

📍 Domestic Adoption (Local):

Pre-RA 11642 timeline: 2 to 5 years (judicial process)
Under RA 11642: 6 to 12 months, depending on your responsiveness and case complexity

🗣️ Dr. Antonia Siy of NACC said: “If adoptive parents are serious and responsive, adoption can be completed in under 9 months.”

Time-saving highlights:

No court hearings or publication
Faster matching and placement
Streamlined child declarations and clearances

🎯 Tip: Attend orientation early, prepare documents in advance, and stay responsive to your social worker’s requests to move quickly through the process.

🌍 Inter-Country Adoption (Abroad):

Usually takes 1 to 2 years from application to finalization
Involves coordination between NACC and the foreign country’s adoption authority

Key time factors:

Foreign home study and approvals
NACC child matching availability
Travel logistics and immigration clearances
Trial custody and post-placement supervision
Finalization in adoptive parents’ home country

🧭 The process is longer and more expensive, but still smoother under NACC than before.

🛑 Note: RA 11642 provides for a 3-year transition period while NACC builds its capacity. During this period, some steps may still be facilitated through DSWD Field Offices. Delays may occur in under-resourced areas, but the trend is toward faster and more consistent services.

Final Thoughts: A Smoother Road to Forever Families

The passage of RA 11642 marks a new era of adoption in the Philippines.

By replacing outdated laws and centralizing the process under the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), the government has made adoption faster, more affordable, and more accessible to Filipino families — without sacrificing the legal safeguards that protect the welfare of children.

❤️ A Child-Centered Approach

The core philosophy behind RA 11642 is simple but powerful:

Every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family.

Adoption is no longer tangled in years of court scheduling, expensive legal hurdles, or red tape. Now, the system empowers every qualified Filipino or foreigner who wants to legally adopt a child — including those who once thought the process was out of reach due to time or cost.

🧑‍⚖️ Fewer Legal Barriers, More Compassionate Support

The law ensures:

Strict screening of both adopters and adoptive children
Post-adoption support from trained social workers
Confidentiality and legal recognition for adopted children
A clear route for inter-country adoption without court battles

It also recognizes various adoption pathways:

Domestic adoption
Stepchild or relative adoption
Administrative correction of simulated birth under RA 11222
Inter-country adoption for foreigners or Filipinos living abroad

The law affirms: adoption is not just a legal process — it’s a lifetime commitment.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Encouragement for Prospective Parents

If you’ve ever dreamed of opening your heart and home to a child in need — there’s no better time than now.

Whether you’re:

A single parent or a couple
A step-parent raising your spouse’s child
A relative of a child who needs stability
A Filipino overseas or a foreign national with love to give

— the law is now in your favor, and the NACC is here to help you navigate each step.

You are not alone. Many parents have walked this path and are now raising beautiful families built on love and legality.

Adoption is no longer a privilege for the wealthy or well-connected.
It is now a right — and a responsibility — available to more people than ever before.

📞 Where to Start: Contact the NACC or Your Local RACCO

Ready to begin your adoption journey?

Start by reaching out to:

Your Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) – usually located at your nearest DSWD Field Office
The central NACC in Manila
A licensed and accredited child-placing agency such as NORFIL Foundation or Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF)

They will guide you through:

Pre-adoption seminars
The application process
Home study requirements
Matching and placement
Legal finalization and support

Final Thoughts

Adoption is one of the most meaningful ways to build a family — and thanks to RA 11642, it’s now more accessible, efficient, and centered on what truly matters: the child’s best interests. Whether you’re adopting locally or from abroad, the journey may require patience and paperwork, but the reward is immeasurable. With the National Authority for Child Care leading the way, every child has a better chance at finding a loving, permanent home — and every adoptive parent is given a clearer path to make that dream come true.