Philippine Adoption

Philippine Adoption

The first step in adopting a child in the Philippines is to attend a pre-adoption counseling service where the nature of adoption in the Philippines will be discussed. The adopters will likewise be prepared for taking on their parental responsibilities. This counseling session will be conducted by a local social worker provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

After the counseling, adopters may now file a petition at the family court in their place of residence. Applications for change name, correction of the birth date, and all necessary processes for adjusting the child’s status must be included. Supporting documents such as birth and baptismal certificates of the adoptee must be presented as well as the consent of different parties.

Upon completion of the requirements, a local social worker must then do a case study. Several researches will be conducted. Registration details of the child’s birth at the local civil registry will also be checked. If not registered, it is the social worker’s responsibility to enlist the child and obtain a certification of late registry.

After the study, the social worker is required to submit a report that serves as an endorsement to the family court having jurisdiction over the case. It must contain an analysis on the eligibility and capability of the adopters to continue the procedure. Any grounds for denial found must also be stated.

Once the court finds the report acceptable, trial custody will be done. It will be supervised by the DSWD and the court, for six (6) months. This undertaking aims to prove that it is possible for the adopters and adoptee to live together in harmony. During this six-month period, hearings may be scheduled by the court, which both the adopters and adoptee must attend.

If everything goes well, the court will issue a decree of adoption. Any application for a change of name and rectification of the birth date will be included in the same decision.

The Civil Registrar will also be furnished a copy of the decree, thus will enable the latter to issue a new birth certificate. The old birth certificate shall be stamped cancelled and will no longer be honored.

tags: adoption in the Philippines, adoption, Philippine Adoption