Hi Rena,
I did clean out my forums mailbox so I can receive new messages....sorry about that....
Melody
P.S. What Rena says is correct. Anyone wishing, WHILE RESIDING OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES, wishing to adopt a child WHO RESIDES INSIDE the Philippines, needs to go through the ICAB (whether or not you are related to the child).....do not go the domestic court system in the Philippines....but the Inter-Country Adoption Board--THE ICAB....or else the Embassy in the Philippines WILL NOT grant a visa for the child to leave the Philippines....you may have been able to "adopt" a child from the domestic court system, but you will not be able to LEAVE WITH THE CHILD back to your country where you reside....
The ICAB will instruct what is legal and what is necessary and they work with the DSWD to prepare a child for adoption, deeming the child legally free, an orphan, who is legally free to be adopted outside of the Philippines.
Blessings to all,
Melody