Cost of Adoption in the Philippines: Is It Free or Not?
The most common answer you will find online is "adoption in the Philippines is free." That answer is not quite right, and families who take it at face value end up surprised when the bills arrive. The accurate answer is: the formal government process under the NACC charges no filing fees for domestic adoption, but the total cost of completing an adoption is not zero.
Here is an honest breakdown.
What "free" actually means
Republic Act 11642, the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act of 2022, removed the court filing fees that used to be a significant cost under the old judicial adoption system. Under the previous process, families hired lawyers, paid court costs, and navigated years of legal proceedings. Under the new administrative system, you file a petition with the NACC's Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) and there is no mandatory filing fee charged by the government.
So in the strict sense: yes, the state does not charge you to process a domestic adoption petition. The NACC's service is free.
But completing an adoption requires documents, clearances, professional evaluations, and in some cases, agency assistance — and those have real costs.
The actual costs of domestic adoption in the Philippines
Document fees
Every required document has a cost, even if it is small:
- PSA birth certificate (certified copy): PHP 365 per copy (online order) or PHP 155 at PSA outlets
- PSA marriage certificate: same pricing as birth certificates
- NBI clearance: PHP 160–215 (online with courier delivery) to PHP 115 (walk-in)
- Police clearance: PHP 100–200 depending on local government unit
- Barangay clearance: PHP 50–200 depending on barangay
- Community Tax Certificate (cedula): PHP 5–100 depending on income
- Utility bills: already in your possession but may need photocopies and certification
Medical and psychological evaluations
These are among the most significant costs in the process. The NACC requires a medical certificate and a psychological evaluation from a licensed professional.
- Medical certificate (licensed physician): PHP 500–2,000 depending on clinic
- Psychological evaluation (licensed psychologist or psychiatrist): PHP 2,000–6,000 depending on provider and depth of assessment
Some RACCOs specify which tests or instruments are required for the psychological evaluation (e.g., MMPI, Rorschach). Confirm with your RACCO what exactly they accept before booking an appointment.
Home Study Report facilitation
The Home Study Report (HSR) is prepared by a licensed social worker, either from the RACCO or from a licensed Child-Placing Agency (CPA). If your HSR is conducted by the government social worker assigned to your case, there may be no direct charge. However, if you work with a licensed CPA — which many families choose for faster turnaround — the CPA will charge a service fee.
CPA fees for HSR preparation and overall adoption support can range from PHP 5,000 to PHP 30,000 or more, depending on the organization and scope of services.
Miscellaneous costs
- Photocopying and notarization of documents: PHP 500–2,000 in total
- Transportation to and from RACCO offices, home visits, and agency meetings: varies by location
- Passport photos for forms: PHP 100–200
Total realistic estimate for domestic adoption
For a Filipino family without any complications, with all documents in order and working directly through the RACCO, a reasonable estimate for total out-of-pocket costs is:
| Category | Estimated Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|
| PSA and government documents | 1,500–3,000 |
| NBI and police clearances | 400–600 |
| Medical certificate | 500–2,000 |
| Psychological evaluation | 2,000–6,000 |
| CPA fees (if used) | 0–30,000 |
| Notarization, photocopying, transport | 1,000–3,000 |
| Total range | 5,400–44,600 |
The wide range exists because the single biggest variable is whether you use a private CPA. Families who work exclusively through the RACCO and have all their documents ready can complete the process for a few thousand pesos in out-of-pocket expenses. Families who engage a CPA for HSR support and document facilitation spend more, but often move faster.
Relative adoption and stepparent adoption
Relative adoption (for children within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity) and stepparent adoption have streamlined procedures under RA 11642. They generally skip the CDCLAA requirement and some matching stages. The document costs are similar, but the overall process is shorter, which means fewer trips and lower indirect costs.
Free Download
Get the Philippines — Quick-Start Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
What adoption definitely does not cost in the Philippines
- Court filing fees (these no longer apply to domestic adoption)
- Attorney's fees for representing you in court (no court proceedings for domestic adoption)
- The child is not "purchased" — any payment to a biological parent or intermediary is illegal and constitutes trafficking
Be alert to any arrangement where an agency, intermediary, or individual asks for payment in exchange for facilitating access to a specific child. That is not a legitimate adoption channel.
Inter-country adoption costs
For families outside the Philippines adopting a Filipino child, costs are substantially higher:
- NACC processing fee: USD $2,000–$3,000 (plus USD $1,000 child care support fund)
- Foreign Adoption Agency fees: typically USD $8,000–$12,000
- Home study in the receiving country: USD $1,500–$3,000
- Government and USCIS fees (for US applicants): USD $2,000–$3,000
- Travel: USD $2,000–$4,000 per trip
Total for international adoption from the Philippines typically falls in the USD $18,000–$30,000 range when in-country living expenses are included.
For the full breakdown of documents, step-by-step process, and what to expect during the Home Study, the Philippines Foster Care & Adoption Guide provides a complete roadmap.
Get Your Free Philippines — Quick-Start Checklist
Download the Philippines — Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.