MARCERA LAW OFFICE

Poblacion, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte II 0917-716-2133 II alfonsjanssenmarcera@yahoo.com

RE: ADOPTION

What are the required documents for adopting the child?

-PSA Birth Certificate
-PSA Marriage Certificate(if adopters are married)
-Written authorization to the adoption of the legitimate, adopted, or illegitimate
children living with the applicant who are aged ten (10) years old and above.
-Health Certificate of adopting couple and their family member
-NBI Clearance or Police Clearance
-Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or any proof of income
-Three (3) Character References
-Statement of Acceptance from labelled guardian
-Latest family picture and home photos
-Home Study Report

What are the Step-by-Step Process involved in adopting a child?

1.The adopter/s must attend the adoption counseling conducted by the DSWD.
2.The adopter must submit the application requirements to DSWD to start preparation
of home study report. The adopter must wait for the approval of the application.
3.If approved, DSWD will facilitate matching or family selection.
4.There will be pre-placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. The
child will be placed with the adoptive parents when everything is cleared.
5.Supervised trial custody will start to see how the child adjusts to the new
environment.
6. If the supervised trial custody is passed, Adoption Decree/ Certificate of Finality will
be issued to the family.
7.The amended birth certificate of the adopted child will also be given to the adoptive
parents.
8.Provision of post-adoptive services will be offered also by the family.

What are the costs involved in adopting a child in the Philippines?

The fees and charges involving the adoption may vary depending on applicants who
are either former Filipinos or foreigners permanently residing abroad. It is best that
you may contact someone who successfully adopted a child and can advise you on
this.

For domestic adoption, the following are the fees and charges you should
prepare:
1. Lawyers’ fee
2. Newspaper publication of the adoption petition. The total cost for the publication
could be as low as Php 7,000 if small-time newspaper or could be as high as Php
50,000 if big-time newspaper.
3. Court fees (docket fee, stenographic notes)
4. Fees for adoption registration and issuance of amended birth certificate.
5. Required documents which may provide fees like birth certificates, marriage
certificate, proof of financial capacity (like ITR, bank deposit, etc), clearances
(barangay, police, NBI, fiscal, court), and others as proof of good moral character, good
health.