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.”

Lesley Larson

Spring Celebrations

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.
50% of the waiting children we have placed are under 4.
Children with a varying range of medical conditions are waiting.
Sibling groups are commonly available, but cannot be guaranteed.
Families interested in adopting a child 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: 1-2 years. Timeframe is from registered dossier completion to travel. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting children.

Meet Philippines Children

There are many wonderful children waiting today for a family in the Philippines. Country regulations do not allow their photos to be posted

Age of Parents

Both adoptive parents need to be at least 27 years old at the time of application. Parents must also be at least 16 years older than the child they wish to adopt. There can be no more than 45 years age difference between the adoptive parent(s) and the child.

Marital Status

Couples married at least three years (with no more than one divorce per spouse) are welcome to adopt from the Philippines. Single women are eligible to adopt older children, ages 9 to 15, with medical conditions.

Children in Family

Families with no more than four children already in the home are welcome to adopt from the Philippines. Families must wait a full year after a child comes into their home to apply for adoption with the Philippines.

Income

Families interested in adopting a child must have a positive net worth and an income of at least $10,000 per family member, including the adopted child.

Criminal History

Families with no criminal history are welcome to adopt from the Philippines.

Medical History

Families with no history of mental health issues, substance abuse, and counseling are welcome to adopt from the Philippines. Both parents must have a BMI of 35 or less. A psychological evaluation is required for all applicants.

Other Requirements

As a part of the adoption process, NACC requires adoptive families to submit a letter of recommendation from a Christian church or organization. The letter must verify that the adoptive family has participated actively with the organization for at least the past five years.

“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?

The approximate cost to adopt from Philippines is $27,150. Cost does not include airfare, lodging and other fees associated with travel.

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: $350 This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program. (Due at application)

U.S. AGENCY: $8,500* 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. (1/2 due with completion of contract and 1/2 due six months after contract)

PROGRAM FEE: $2,500* 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. (Due with completion of orientation)

POST-PLACEMENT SERVICE: $2,800 This fee allows us to provide post-placement support services to your family and process post-placement reports. (Due with completion of referral packet)

*If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.

HOME STUDY AND POST-PLACEMENT*

HOME STUDY SERVICES: $2,500 These fees cover our services in preparing and completing your adoption home study, including any applicable social worker travel costs. (Due with completion of orientation)

POST-PLACEMENT REPORTS: $400 per report; $225 per report for each additional child. These fees cover the cost for AGCI to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. (Due with completion of referral packet)

*These fees may vary if payable to your home study agency for families living outside of AGCI’s licensed states.

NON-AGCI HOME STUDY REVIEW: $400 Any home study written by one of AGCI’s cooperating agencies 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. (Due with completion of orientation)

PHILIPPINES COUNTRY FEES & EXPENSES

$9,200* 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. (Due with completion of dossier and referral packet as indicated on fee schedule)

ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES

Adoptive Parent Home Study Education:	$300
Adoptive Parent Referral Education:	$600
Accreditation Monitoring & Oversight:	$850
FBI Fingerprinting:	$85 per adult
USCIS & Immigration Related Fees:	$775+
Notary Services, County & State Authentication:	$250+
Document Authentication and Translation Fees:	$400-$3,600
Re-Adoption:	$500-$1,500
Travel Expenses:	$3,000-$15,000

TOTAL COST: The approximate cost to adopt from the Philippines is $27,150. Cost does not include airfare, lodging and other fees associated with travel.

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.

“We were so thankful for the level of commitment AGCI showed to our family and our loved one across the ocean. AGCI was with us every step of the way to bring our little boy home. Not only were they committed to our family during the process, but after as well. We still enjoy hearing from our AGCI family at different times with their post-adoption communications, as well as just staying in touch with our caseworker that we worked so closely with. AGCI also has a committed community of fellow adoptive families that I have come to know and love. We are all part of this fantastic family because of AGCI’s love for the orphan and commitment to the children and our families. We are forever blessed by AGCI and the help they gave us to bring our son home. Can’t imagine life without him.”

— Mara Schack, AGCI Adoptive Mom

THE PHILIPPINES ADOPTION PROCESS

STEP ONE

Complete home study and then submit dossier.

STEP TWO

Your dossier will be reviewed, translated, and approved by AGCI. Your dossier will remain at AGCI until the NACC has pre-approved your family to be matched with a specific child.

STEP THREE

Review waiting children! When a child has been identified from the Philippines’ monthly bulletins who meets your approved parameters, AGCI will request additional information on that child from the NACC. Once the information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral. With a social worker’s approval, a referral can occur for a waiting child before the completion of your dossier.

STEP FOUR

Wait for final adoption approval from NACC board.

STEP FIVE

Travel to meet your child. Trip length: approximately 5-7 days.

STEP SIX

Welcome home! Once your child is home, AGCI and the Philippines require post-placement visits and reports at the 1, 4, 6 and 8-month anniversaries of your adopted child’s homecoming. Some states have additional requirements. The adoption will not be final until the 8-month post-placement report is received and approved by the NACC. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at anytime 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.

“It was very important to our family that we chose an agency that had a strong mission statement that we could stand behind, as well as an experienced agency in working with the country that we had chosen to adopt from. AGCI exceeded both of our expectations. The staff at AGCI went above and beyond in helping us navigate through our adoption journey. Their staff was reliable, kind, and informative. AGCI was very efficient in working with our family, and they were always two steps ahead of the process, so as to make sure our family would move along as quickly as possible. In addition, AGCI offered great support once we returned home with our child. WE are extremely thankful for all that AGCI did for our family and all that they are doing for other families in helping to create Forever Families for these orphans.”

— Ashley Felts, AGCI Adoptive Mom