How to Adopt from the Philippines
“Everyone at AGCI was so personable and eager to walk this journey alongside us. We could tell that this was more than a job to them–they really cared and celebrated each step with us. It felt good to know that we could reach out to AGCI anytime we had questions and they would be quick to help and make the process run as smooth as possible.”
NATIONAL TRAUMA-INFORMED TRAINING
We recently hosted a national trauma-informed training for caregivers, child welfare professionals, and policymakers. We are praying this training will have a long-term impact on thousands of children and families in the Philippines!
OFFICIAL REFERRALS
We are so grateful for the eight children who have been matched with their forever families so far this year! We believe these referrals will lead to loving forever families for vulnerable children!
FOREVER FAMILIES
Nine children have come home with their forever families so far in 2023! We praise God for the love of forever families!
PHILIPPINES ADOPTION OVERVIEW
Since 2012, Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International has worked to unite orphaned children in the Philippines with loving forever families. AGCI is also dedicated to making a difference for children throughout the Philippines—thanks to AGCI’s advocacy, 500 orphaned children received critical support in the wake of a devastating typhoon.
We’re excited to work with the Philippines Central Authority, which continues to be child centered, thoughtful, and efficient when working with families. Families enrolled in AGCI’s Philippines Adoption program receive detailed information and medical reports on waiting children through monthly bulletins from the Philippines Central Authority. Additionally, once families are matched with waiting children, families can be in country within 10 months! Our Philippines Adoption program also requires minimal travel—families spend 5-7 days in country before bringing their child home.
We also offer a Relative Philippines Adoption program for extended family members. Please reach out to us to learn more about this program!
Due to country privacy restrictions, we are unable to post waiting children photos on our website.
- Most children available for adoption are between the ages of 2 to 15.
- Currently, families in our Philippines adoption program wait an average of 9.4 months to be matched with their child upon submitting their contract.
- The typical adoption timeline in our Philippines Adoption Program is 21 months–from submittal of contract to uniting with your child.
- Children with a varying range of medical conditions are waiting.
- Sibling groups are commonly in need of adoption.
- Families adopting from our Philippines adoption program can select the gender of their adopted child.
- Detailed developmental reports are available.
- To date, 98 children have been placed with their forever families.
- Timeframe: 1.5-3+ years. Timeframe is from registered dossier to completion. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting children.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM THE PHILIPPINES?
Age of Parents
Married couples must be at least 27 years old to be eligible to adopt, and single women must be at least 27 years old to adopt older children (9+ years). Parents must be at least 16 years older and no more than 45 years older than the adopted child.
Marital Status
Couples married at least three years are eligible to adopt from the Philippines. A total of two divorces is allowed per couple.
Children in Family
Couples with 5 or few minor children and single women with 2 or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from the Philippines.
Income
Families will have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Families with no criminal history are welcome to adopt from the Philippines. Criminal history will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Medical History
Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. Families with no history of significant mental health issues or substance abuse are welcome to adopt from the Philippines. Applicants must maintain a BMI of less than 35. Families will be required to complete a psychological test and submit a letter from their pastor as a part of their dossier.
“The advice that I keep giving families is, just ask God. He will make it clear. I think it’s clear through His word that adoption is really important to Him and it’s something that He has commissioned all of us to either provide for or care about.” — Jessica Wood
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM THE PHILIPPINES?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.
U.S. AGENCY*: The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in both the United States and foreign country. Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state, federal, and international licensing and accreditations, communications and insurance.
PROGRAM FEE*: This fee provides care for orphans around the world and allows AGCI to provide the medical, emotional, spiritual, and developmental care that every child deserves.
POST-ADOPTION SERVICE: This fee allows us to provide post-adoption support services to your family and process post-adoption reports. *If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
HOME STUDY REVIEW: All home studies will be reviewed by AGCI to ensure it meets all AGCI, USCIS, Hague, and sending country criteria. Home study and Post Adoption service fees are paid to your cooperating agency.
PHILIPPINES COUNTRY FEES & EXPENSES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in the Philippines. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption.
ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES
Fee Disclosure: All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
THE PHILIPPINES ADOPTION PROCESS
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.
STEP TWO
Review waiting children! When a child who meets your approved parameters has been identified from the Philippines’ monthly bulletins, AGCI will request additional information on that child from the Central Authority. Once the information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.
STEP THREE
Wait for final approval from the Central Authority.
STEP FOUR
Parents travel to meet and bring your child home! In-country travel typically spans 5-7 days!
STEP FIVE
Welcome home! AGCI and Philippines require post-placement reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 1, 4, 6, 8-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. Some states have additional requirements. The adoption will not be final until the 8-month post-placement report is received, approved by the Central Authority, and the adoption is finalized in your local court. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!
PHILIPPINES ADOPTION TEAM
PHILIPPINES IN-COUNTRY TEAM
AGCI works directly with the NACC, the Philippines Central Authority, to facilitate adoptions through our Philippines program.
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM THE PHILIPPINES!
