FAC has placed over 3000 children from South Korea into American families since 1986. The numbers of children available for intercountry placement has steadily declined during the past few years. However, there are still children available for adoption from Korea. FAC placed South Korean children for adoption through our relationship with Korea Social Service (KSS), a government authorized agency. Due to the decreased numbers of Korean children in need of international adoptive homes, KSS decided to close their adoption program earlier this year.
Although the long term partnership between FAC and KSS has regretfully come to an end, FAC continues to be involved in placing Korean children with adoptive families in Ohio and Michigan. We have a few partner agencies that continue to need families for South Korean children. FAC provides all local services (homestudy, support and education, post placement visits) to interested adoptive families. The placing agency handles the dossier, matching of a child with each family, and the actual placement into the adoptive home.
Children available for adoption from South Korea
Children of both genders are available for adoption from South Korea, though there are more boys than girls. There is a need for families who are open to parenting children with a wide range of minor medical conditions. Children generally arrive home at 18-24 months old. Children typically spend their first few months in a nursery setting, and reside in foster care until they are ready to travel to the U.S.
Who can adopt?
Age: Applicants over 25 and under 45 years old can adopt (the placing agencies will determine the maximum age of prospective adoptive parents they will accept into their program).
Marital Status: Couples must be married for at least 3 years at the time of application.
Health: Applicants cannot have current medical conditions, chronic illnesses, infectious or degenerative diseases, seizure disorders, history of mental health diagnosis or treatment with psychotropic medications, or severe physical deformities. Chronic treatable medical issues will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less.
Criminal History: No arrest history is preferred, though very minor incidents may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Children: No more than four children under the age of 18 currently in the family; those children should be physically and emotionally healthy.
Education: Both applicants should have high school diplomas or the equivalent.
How long does it take?
The current wait to be matched with a child after your dossier is sent to Korea varies by placing agency and Korean orphanage, but is approximately 12-15 months (though it can be shorter depending on your openness to medical issues). At the time of referral, you will receive photographs and social, developmental, and medical reports on the child who has been matched with your family.
