FAC places Filipino children needing overseas adoptive placement through our working relationship with the government's Intercountry Adoption Board (ICAB), which operates within the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
FAC is currently accepting applications from families who are interested in adopting from the Philippines. In early 2011, the Intercountry Adoption Board enacted a temporary moratorium on receiving new applications from agencies that already have a large number of families waiting to adopt through the Filipino adoption program. FAC is not currently affected by this moratorium and can begin working with new applicants immediately.
This intercountry adoption program is ideal for families who are Filipino/American or couples who are open to parenting a child over the age of three years.
Children in need of families
All adoptive families must be open to a child over the age of 3 years at time of referral. The need is greatest for families interested in adopting siblings groups, school age children, or children with medical conditions.
The children are typically full Filipino in heritage, with dark hair and eyes and brown/olive complexions. Children range from Asian in appearance to a mixture of Asian/Malaysian/Hispanic. Children are referred for adoption via public and private orphanages throughout the Philippines. Detailed social histories are provided at the time of referral.
Adoptive Parent eligibility requirements
Residence:
Families residing in Michigan, Ohio
Marriage:
Married couples only; must be married three years if first marriage, five years if second marriage. ICAB will consider single applicants who will be accepting children from 6 years old and above of either gender with minor correctable medical conditions or sensitive background issues.
Age:
27-45 years old. There is some flexibility if the prospective adoptive father is over age 45 but the adoptive mother is younger. Maximum age gap between the child and parent is 45 years.
Children:
Childless couples preferred, but couples with no more than three children in the home will be considered; exceptions made if adopting school aged children.
How long does it take?
Most families wait approximately 18-24 months to be matched with a child once ICAB approves an adoptive family’s dossier. For families who are interested in adopting children with significant special needs and/or large sibling groups, the wait can be shorter. The Intercountry Adoption Board notifies FAC and other accredited agencies each month with information on waiting special needs children who can be referred immediately to interested adoptive families.
After a family accepts the referral of their child, it takes approximately 6 months before one or both parents can travel to the Philippines to escort their child home.
Travel
At least one parent must travel to the Philippines for 6-10 days (including travel time) to meet their child's caretaker and escort him/her home. In-country assistance is provided to all families throughout the trip. Philippines adoptions are legally completed in the United States after a period of adjustment in the adoptive home.
