Legal Process of Adoption in the Philippines

There is a misconception that only married couples in the Philippines can legally adopt a child. The Department of Social Welfare and Social Development allows individuals to adopt a child if they can prove that they are capable of adopting a child. Sally Dagulo, head of DSWD`s Alternative Care Division, says the government agency is gender-sensitive and does not take into account the gender orientation of people willing to adopt a child. A child`s religion is only taken into account if a child who can legally be given up for adoption is 6 years of age or older, if the child is already already practicing a religion. [62] K. Certificate attesting that the applicant(s) has the legal capacity to adopt in his/her country and allows the child adopted in the Philippines to enter and reside permanently in his/her country; Ensure that birth parents are well informed of their decision to give the child up for adoption. Prospective adoptive parents are required to go through a counseling process and join an adoption forum to be prepared for effective parenting. To ensure that adoptive parents are ready for adoption, Region XII, Soccsksargen, has the highest concentration of permanent adoptions (18.61%, excluding foster care), followed by Caraga (15.73%). Region VII, Central Visayas, has the lowest concentration of permanent adoptions (0.93%). Similarly, the figures calculated for the specific methods of documentation for adoption are as follows: Social welfare officials in the [office] of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) noted that common criticisms of adoption include the difficulty for families to bear excess costs (especially legal fees) and the time required to complete adoption procedures.

usually within 1-2 years. The DSWD indicated that it was making efforts to engage in consultations with court judges in order to expedite the adoption process. The social worker is also responsible for ensuring that potential adopters understand that they are familiar with the adoption process. This is also the case when intended parents are trained on how and when to discuss and disclose the child`s adoption status to the adoptee, as well as answer questions about their biological parents. [3] The counselling of birth parents aims to ensure that they are well informed about the effects of their child`s surrender. This is important to protect against hasty decisions arising from potential emotional and financial pressures. Then, in order to make the adoption official, an application for adoption of the prospective adoptive family must be filed with their local family court. As long as a person meets all these qualifications, they can adopt. This means that parents can also adopt each other by blood or affinity. The state is doing its best to ensure that “the authority of the biological parents and custody of their children” are preserved. Only if this fails and there is no application for adoption from the child`s extended family will adoption by a non-relative be considered.

[49] Prospective adopters must then file the adoption application with their provincial family court to formalize the adoption. This is the only point where the services of a lawyer are needed. The adoption process begins with the selection of a DSWD-accredited adoption agency, after which the following steps are taken: Every child deserves love, care, and a stable family life. For those denied these basics, adoption has become key. On June 10, 1975, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 603, also known as the Child and Youth Protection Code. [35] In this case, the former provisions on persons who may adopt were repealed by section 27.