Adopting from the Philippines

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Many children in the Philippines are waiting for a permanent, loving family.

Children eligible for adoption from the Philippines are typically 9 years or older at the time they join their families and have minor special needs. Holt has a highly respected adoption program in the Philippines with a stable process and our longstanding partner in the region, the Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF), has years of experience uniting children with families via international adoption. Holt’s U.S. staff will also work closely with you throughout the adoption process to ensure you feel informed and prepared every step of the way. The Philippines program is only open to Catholic and Christian families.

Did you know Holt does relative adoptions from the Philippines? Learn more

Children in the Philippines Who Need Families

Children most in need of adoption are older children (9-13+) who may or may not have special needs other than age and children of all ages with moderate to major developmental, physical or medical special needs. Learn more about Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption. (The Philippines is not currently accepting new applications for families only open to children under the age of 6 years old.)
Older sibling groups are waiting for families.
Families cannot specify a gender preference.
Reports on children who need families are very detailed, containing family background, behavioral and developmental information.
Most children live in government or privately run care centers, while some children live in licensed foster homes.

Meet the children waiting for a family

To preserve children’s confidentiality, you will be asked to log in or sign up before you access the waiting child photolisting.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Philippines Special Needs Adoption

There is a select group of children who are part of our Special Needs Project in the Philippines — children who are older, have medical or developmental needs and/or are part of a sibling group. Each of these children has had an in-person, one-on-one assessment with a Holt social worker, and we have extensive information about them! Family eligibility for this program can be more flexible than our standard program. Email us at [email protected] to learn more about these children.

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from the Philippines

Eligibility requirements for families open to children on the Special Home Finding list and/or children that are a part of the Special Needs Project are more flexible than for families in the standard process. This eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis (particularly in matters of age and health). Please contact us at [email protected] or 833-346-9044 to discuss eligibility.

Parents Age

The minimum age for applicants is 27.
There can be no more than a 45-year age difference between the primary caregiver and the child.
Parents under age 50 at the time of dossier approval are eligible to adopt through the standard process.
If one parent is age 50+ at the time of dossier submission, they are only eligible for the Special Home Finding (SHF) program or Special Needs Project (SNP). Both of these programs provide special advocacy for older children and children with special needs. Please contact us at [email protected] or 833-346-9044 to learn more about the waiting children in this program.
If both parents turn 50 after dossier approval, but before receiving a referral, then they will be strongly encouraged to identify a child from the SHF or SNP program.

Length of Marriage

Couples must be married for at least three years at the time of dossier submission.
One year of legal marriage with two years of documented cohabitation can also be accepted.

Divorce

Two divorces (in total) are accepted.

Children in Family

Families can have up to three children in their home at the time of application.
The youngest child must be 1 year old at the time of dossier submission.
The Philippines will consider families with 4+ children in the home on a case-by-case basis if the family is willing to adopt from the Special Home Finding and Special Needs Project programs.
Childless couples are given some priority during the centralized child match process.
Please contact us prior to applying.

Single Applicant

Single applicants are accepted for children in the Special Home Finding and Special Needs Project programs for older children and children with special needs.
Please contact us prior to applying.

Travel

At least one parent is required to travel and should expect to spend about five business days in the Philippines.
Holt and the central authority in the Philippines strongly prefer that both parents travel.

How Long It Takes

For the standard program, we anticipate that the entire process will take approximately 4-5.5 years from application to placement.
For the Special Home Finding and Special Needs Project programs, we anticipate that the entire process will take approximately 1-2 years from application to placement.

Waiting Child Program

Children in our waiting child/Special Home Finding program are released to multiple agencies, and these children are usually older or have special needs.
Children in our Special Needs Project are released solely to Holt International for home-finding and these children are usually older or have special needs.
Families with 4+ children may be eligible to adopt children from the Special Home Finding and Special Needs Project programs. This approval is given on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact us at [email protected] to learn more about waiting children from the Philippines and prior to completing an application.

Additional Information

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required for both parents.
Families of Filipino heritage are given priority during the child-matching process.
The Philippines standard program is only open to Catholic and Christian families. Families must provide a letter of reference from their church that confirms they have attended for at least five years. There is flexibility on a case-by-case basis for waiting children.
If a family has switched churches within the past five years, they must submit a letter from each church to account for the full five-year period.
Any applicants with an arrest, medical or mental health history must be pre-screened.

Note

The Philippines is a Hague Convention country.
Holt also assists families who want to adopt a child they are related to in the Philippines.
Please contact us to learn more.

Fees for Philippines Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download philippines fees pdf

Application

Due with completed application. This is a non-refundable fee.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Application Fee	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$350

Adoption Fee 1

Due when Holt approves your application.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 1	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$5,065

Homestudy Assessment (Holt branch office states only)

Due before your first homestudy visit. Find out if your state has a Holt branch office.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Holt	Homestudy	$2,500 – $2,900
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Holt	Homestudy	$750
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Homestudy Assessment/Post Adoption Reporting Fees (non-Holt branch office states)

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Service Provider	Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Service Provider	Homestudy	$250 – $1,000
Post Adoption Reporting Fees	Service Provider	Post Placement/Adoption	$1,500 – $2,000
Travel for Home Visits	Service Provider	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Adoption Fee 2

Due when Holt approves your homestudy.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 2	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$6,500
Program Fee 1	Holt	Foreign Country Program Expenses	$2,000
Foreign Country Fee Pass-Through 1 – NACC	Holt	Translation and Documentation Expenses	$200

Adoption Fee 3 & Post Placement Reporting Fees

Due when you accept the assignment of a child. In the case of siblings, Agency Fee 3 is increased by $3,815 per child and Program Fee 2 is increased by $1,000 per child.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 3	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$3,000
Program Fee 2	Holt	Foreign Country Program Expenses	$5,110
Foreign Country Fee Pass-Through 2 – NACC	Holt	Translation and Documentation Expenses, Contributions	$4,000
Post Placement Reporting Fees (if Holt provides)	Holt	Post Placement/Adoption Reports	$1,500 – $2,000
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Additional Fees to Anticipate

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
USCIS	USCIS	Third Party	$860 – $1,330
Adoption Education Classes	Varies	Third Party	$150 – $500
Psychological Exam	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $2,500
Dossier Preparation	Varies	Third Party	$100 – $1,000
Pre-Adoption Medical Review of Child Material	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $1,000
Airfare, Lodging, Meals & Transportation	Provider	Mileage/Travel	$6,000 – $15,000
Adoption re-finalization	Provider	Third Party	$25 – $1,500
Certificate of Citizenship	US Dept. of Homeland Security	Third Party	$1,170

Summary of Estimated Fees

Description	Amount
Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
U.S. Expenses	$14,915
Foreign Country Program Expenses	$7,110
Care of the Child	$0
Translation and Documents Expenses	$3,200
Contributions	$1,000
Post Placement Reporting Fees	$1,500 – $2,000
Third Party Fees	$2,805 – $9,000
Travel Costs and Accommodations	$5,000 – $10,000
TOTAL	$37,030 – $52,255

Fee Refunds

Agency Fees are non-refundable.
Program Fees are non-refundable
Pass Through – 100% refundable until tendered to NACC
Post Placement Reporting Fees are refundable if not required

Any fee refund will be processed within 60 days.

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

Stories About Adoption from the Philippines

A social worker and child take a photo with animal masks on

Children Who’ve Touched Our Hearts

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Top 10 Myths About Adopting from the Philippines

mother and daughter holding hands and walking down the street

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Growing With Love

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From Fab Four to Fab Five

Philippines Adoption FAQs

Why are children from the Philippines relinquished for adoption?

How are children matched with families?

What does “special needs” mean?

How long does it take to adopt from the Philippines?

What are the travel requirements?

Can I adopt a relative from the Philippines?

For over 20 years, Holt has helped unite children in the Philippines with relatives in the U.S. As the relative adoption process in the Philippines takes 2-3 years on average — and children ages 14+ aren’t eligible — the program is best for families hoping to adopt children younger than 12.

Learn More about Relative Adoption from the Philippines

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

Help Protect International Adoption for Children

Your gift today will help a child be adopted, care for them while they wait, and even ensure that they receive critical post-adoption help for life!

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Start Your Journey in Adoption

Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

Request Free Adoption Information

Click below to complete our inquiry form or email us at [email protected] to connect with one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Info Meetings

Check out our free, virtual adoption information meetings open to families in all 50 states!

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Apply Online

Ready to start your adoption journey? The first step is to create a Holt portal account, then submit an application. Click below to log in or create a new portal account. If you’re already in touch with Holt or have worked with Holt previously and do not have a portal login, email [email protected] to access your account!

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