PollenTree

Adopting from the Philipines

The process for adoption is quicker here and can take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year.

The Philipines Intercountry Adoption Board also has a branch in Switzerland which means the process can be a lot smoother.

Single people can apply, but their application will be given lower priority unless they are being matched with a special needs child.

The criteria is currently that couples must be at least 27 years of age by the time they make their application and must have been married for at least 3 years and there must be a minimum age gap between the couple and the child of no less than 16 years and/or no more than 47 years.

Where the primary carer is aged 43 and over they will only be considered for children over 2 years of age.

Applications which state that only female children are wanted will be rejected as there are very few female children available for overseas adoption.

Since January 2010 the Philipines have also added a list of unacceptable medical and psychological conditions of adopters that will lead to a refusal of applications. These include obesity, cancer, ‘sexual disorders’ and ‘substance use disorders’.