adopting an identified filipino child

Hi Jerusha, I ecourage you to continue and make that important step of adoption. Philippines accept adoptions by single women but not single males, (I suppose you are a woman) so you should not have much problem in that regard. My wife and I are also in the process of adopting a baby from Phili and praying to God for a succesful process; we are also latinos and somehow feel some connection with the philippino culture. We are working with the agency Hand in Hand and are very pleased so far, their web site is: [url]www.hihiadopt.org[/url] Well, have to go for now good luck!!! Gilbert

Thanks gilbert! Turns out I'm moving to Arizona and this agency has a base there , I thank you for the info!!:D

My husband has family in the Philippines, so we thought about doing an identified child adoption. My MIL, who was born there, suggested it. I called a local agency that works with the Philippine Consulate. They told me that they only permit private adoptions for immediate family or if you have lived in the country for the last 2 years - then you can't leave for an extended period after placement. I think it was 6mo. The agency said that you had to use an agency and work with the abandoned children because the P.C. would not grant the child a visa, and then even if you did get the child back to the states, you would have to deal with the INS, which would not grant the child citizenship. Jennifer

Thanks for the info. I have been researching and found that out from immigration dept. I am grateful though as the child is being placed in phillipines close to her mom, where she will also be able to see how her child is doing and growing, I still carry strong feelings towards adopting from this country, and will go through ICAB and agency here in the states. Thanks for the info!

a US Single man adopted a son in the past year from PI. He says that the process was full of questions and demands for more info, but in the end he was approved.

thanks again! I'm still hoping to adopt, my friends are being very supportive and iI hope to have news soon! Thanks linda and jen!

Hi Jerusha and everyone, I'm new to the forum but have been going through the process for a while. I have been resident in the Philippines for the past 6 years and my wife and I have had a hard time getting through the domestic system but we have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We got a lot of advice from many people and most of it bad. For a local adoption, you have to be resident for 3 years before you can file and remain resident until the final decree has been entered, then it takes another 2 years, before the child can get a visa to travel. The best place to get help is at the DSWD. They always put the intrest of the child first. So if you are right for the child they will do wonders for you to help you through the system. They will even put you in touch the right lawyers. I only wish we had been able to get in touch with them from the start. There is no phone number, so you have to go to the office directly. The embassy, lawyers and the agencys will tell you can't go there directly because it has to be an order from the judge, but don't beleive them. All of the staff we meet are friendly and honest (which is rare for many in the government). Domestic [url]http://www.dswd.gov.ph/lamain.htm[/url] International - a little easier to read that the skynet [url]http://www.dswd.gov.ph/icab.htm[/url] Our son is now 11 years old and God has blessed us with a daughter now 6. We still some process to finish but I praying that God will help us through it. HTH, Johnny

I picked up my 9 year old son a year and a half ago. being a single man it was not the normal transistion. It is easier for a single women. The Catholic orphanages will not allow single men to adopt. ICAB has strict rules but because my son's adapting to a single parent male household, ICAB has made it easier for single men to adopt. Supposedly, I was the first single guy to adopt from that area. They even mentioned it at the last conference. They do require a little more info than the ordinary dossier so send them as many support letters as you can, not just from friends but your local Parish, community centers, business people. It will be hard to get a young boy so plan on 4 and up. I am headed back in the spring to pick up my second son. Look at the waiting children , they are the ones that need families. After a certain age they are totally bypassed. I am looking forward to the visit again and so isn't my son. He wants to visit his home where he was raised for the last 5 years he spent there. Good Luck Charlie