Adoption in the Philippines is governed by Republic Act No. 11642, also known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. This law streamlines the process and places authority under the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), replacing the previous court-based system. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

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Types of Adoption

• Domestic Administrative Adoption: For Filipino citizens adopting within the country.
• Inter-Country Adoption: For foreign nationals adopting Filipino children.
• Relative or Stepchild Adoption: Includes adoption by relatives or stepparents.
• Simulated Birth Rectification: Legalizes cases where a child was falsely registered as biological.

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Step-by-Step Process for Domestic Adoption

1. Expression of Interest & Application

   • Submit your intent to adopt to the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) or a licensed child-placing agency.

2. Pre-Adoption Counseling

   • Mandatory sessions to prepare prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) emotionally and legally.

3. Home Study Report

   • A social worker assesses the PAPs’ home environment, financial capacity, and parenting readiness.

4. Matching

   • The child is matched with suitable PAPs based on compatibility and best interests.

5. Pre-Adoption Placement Authority

   • Issued by RACCO to allow the child to live with the PAPs during the trial period.

6. Supervised Trial Custody (STC)

   • Typically lasts six months, monitored by a social worker to ensure a healthy adjustment.

7. Petition for Administrative Adoption

   • Filed with RACCO, followed by publication and review of the petition.

8. Approval

   • If all requirements are met, the NACC grants the adoption, finalizing the legal parent-child relationship.

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Eligibility to Adopt

• Must be at least 25 years old and 16 years older than the adoptee.
• Must have legal capacity and emotional maturity.
• Married couples must jointly adopt unless one is the biological parent.