Adopt from the Philippines: NACC Process, Eligibility, and What to Expect

The Philippines adoption program is one of the most affordable international adoption options for U.S. families, with estimated total costs around $18,000—substantially below the $30,000–$60,000 range of most other active programs. But that affordability comes with constraints that make it the right choice for a specific type of family: those who are genuinely prepared to parent older children, typically ages 6–15, and in many cases sibling groups.

The Philippines placed 28 children with U.S. families in FY 2024. The program operates under the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), which replaced the Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB) in 2022. The transition brought process changes that are still working through the system, so families should verify current NACC procedures with their agency rather than relying on older guidance.

The Two Types of Philippine Adoption for U.S. Families

There are two distinct pathways for U.S. citizens adopting from the Philippines:

1. Non-Relative Adoption This is the standard program. Children available for international placement have been determined to have no viable domestic placement option. The process goes through NACC and involves matching with children from the NACC registry. Wait times for referral in the non-relative program are approximately 2–3 years, sometimes longer, as the Philippines strongly prioritizes domestic placement.

2. Relative Adoption If you are a U.S. citizen with a qualifying relationship to a child in the Philippines, you may pursue the relative-adoption track through NACC. The eligibility criteria and process differ from the regular track; confirm the current relationship and documentation requirements with NACC or your agency.

Who Can Adopt from the Philippines

The Philippines has specific requirements designed to match children with experienced or committed parents:

• Eligibility: Requirements vary by the regular and relative tracks. Confirm current marital-status, age, health, income, and family-structure requirements with NACC and your agency.

The Child Profile: Older Children and Sibling Groups

This is the essential piece of information about Philippine adoption: the regular non-relative program emphasizes children ages 6–15 and sibling groups. The children available through NACC's international registry are predominantly:

• Ages 6–15, with larger numbers in the 8–14 range
• Sibling groups
• Children with correctable or managed medical conditions
• Children with histories of abuse, neglect, or institutionalization

Families who enter the program expecting flexibility on age will be disappointed. The Philippines' strong commitment to domestic placement means international referrals generally follow domestic placement efforts.

For families who are prepared for this—who have realistic expectations about trauma-informed parenting, who have researched attachment disruption, and who are motivated to give an older child a permanent family—the Philippines program is a genuinely good option.

The NACC Process Step by Step

1. Choose a U.S. Hague-accredited agency with current NACC authorization. Confirm this is still active—the 2022 transition from ICAB to NACC disrupted some agency partnerships.
2. Complete your home study and I-800A with USCIS.
3. Submit the current dossier to NACC through your agency. Confirm apostille, translation, and certification requirements with NACC and your agency.
4. NACC registers your application and adds you to the matching pool.
5. Referral received. NACC sends a Child Study with the child's background, medical history, and current developmental status. Review with an international adoption pediatrician before accepting.
6. Acceptance and I-800 filing with USCIS to confirm the child's eligibility.
7. Trial custody in the United States. The Philippines requires a six-month trial custody period in the United States before finalization. Confirm the current placement and supervision steps with NACC and your agency.
8. Adoption finalized in Philippine family court.
9. Immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

The 6-Month Trial Custody Requirement

This is a significant practical feature of Philippine adoption: the Philippines requires a six-month trial custody period in the United States before finalization. Confirm the current placement, supervision, and finalization steps with NACC and your agency.

Costs

The Philippines is the most affordable major international adoption program:

• Estimated total costs: approximately $18,000, excluding travel

Confirm current agency, USCIS, government, travel, and other case-specific costs in writing before proceeding.

The 2025 federal adoption tax credit is a maximum of $17,280, with up to $5,000 refundable, subject to current IRS rules and legal finalization.

Post-Adoption Obligations

After the child arrives in the U.S., families must submit post-placement reports to NACC. The Philippines has emphasized the importance of these reports and expects ongoing compliance.

Children arriving on an IH-3/IR-3 visa become U.S. citizens automatically upon entry. Children on IH-4/IR-4 visas require re-adoption in the U.S. Most adoption attorneys and agencies recommend completing a U.S. state court recognition of the foreign decree even for IH-3 cases, to obtain a U.S. birth certificate.

The International Adoption Navigation Guide covers the full Philippines NACC process, the 6-month trial custody requirements, and how to prepare your dossier and I-800A petition for Hague Convention adoptions.