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 typically 2–4 years, sometimes longer, as the Philippines strongly prioritizes domestic placement.

2. Relative Adoption If you are a U.S. citizen with a qualifying biological relationship to a child in the Philippines (grandparent, sibling, aunt/uncle, cousin), you may pursue a relative adoption through NACC's expedited relative pathway. This process is faster and the eligibility criteria differ. Relative adoption is also available for Filipino-American families seeking to adopt children of Filipino descent.

Who Can Adopt from the Philippines

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

• Marital status: Married couples with minimum 3 years of marriage preferred; single applicants may be accepted with additional scrutiny
• Age: Between 27 and 45 years old (at least one parent must be within this range)
• Age gap: No more than 45 years between the older parent and the child
• Prior parenting experience: Preferred but not required; families with experience parenting children with trauma histories are viewed favorably
• Health: Standard fitness requirements
• Income: Sufficient to support an additional child, demonstrated through tax returns and financial statements

Philippines does not require religious affiliation and accepts single female applicants. Same-sex couples face restrictions under Philippine law.

The Child Profile: Older Children and Sibling Groups

This is the essential piece of information about Philippine adoption: you will not be matched with an infant or a toddler under standard non-relative circumstances. The children available through NACC's international registry are predominantly:

• Ages 6–15, with larger numbers in the 8–14 range
• Sibling groups of 2–5 children
• 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 adoption is genuinely a last resort for children who have aged out of the domestic matching pool.

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 dossier to NACC through your agency. Documents must be apostilled and translated (English documentation is generally acceptable but confirm with your agency for any documents requiring certification).
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. Travel to the Philippines. The Philippines requires a mandatory 6-month trial custody period in the Philippines—you must live in the country with the child for this period before the adoption can be legalized. Many families arrange for one parent to remain while the other returns to work, though this is logistically challenging.
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 the most significant practical barrier in Philippine adoption. Unlike Colombia (where you travel for 2–4 weeks) or India (where you may make 2–3 shorter trips), the Philippines mandates a minimum 6-month supervised custody period in-country before finalization. This requirement is enforced without exceptions for standard adoptions.

For families where both parents work, this requires one parent to either work remotely from the Philippines for 6 months or take extended leave. Some families manage this cost with remote work arrangements; others factor it as a fixed cost of the process. The Philippines has a relatively low cost of living, which mitigates accommodation expenses, but the disruption to employment is real.

Some families have navigated this by having the child placed with an authorized Philippine foster family during the trial period while parents travel back and forth—but this requires NACC approval and is not a guaranteed option.

Costs

The Philippines is the most affordable major international adoption program:

• Total estimated costs: approximately $18,000 (excluding extended in-country living expenses)
• Agency fees: $8,000–$12,000
• USCIS and government fees: $2,000–$3,000
• Travel (flights): $2,000–$4,000 for initial trip; additional for extended stays
• In-country living during 6-month custody period: $800–$1,500/month depending on location

If you include 6 months of living expenses in the Philippines, the true total rises to $22,000–$30,000. Still below the median for India or Colombia.

The 2025 adoption tax credit ($17,280 maximum, partially refundable) applies.

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.