[Neo]

My husband and I would like to adopt a child from the Philippines. We have been actively searching and checking out different agencies. We were born and raised in the Philippines and migrated here in the US 16 years ago. We have been married and trying to get pregnant for 6 years but recently accepted the fact that our dream of having a family will be through adoption. We got an email from my sister today saying that she knows somebody in the Philippines who is pregnant and already decided she doesn't want to keep the baby. My sister thought about us. We are not sure how to go about this. We know ICAB will not allow a pre-determined child to be adopted (inter-country adoption). We would really appreciate any information anybody can provide regarding this matter.

God Bless!

[cungar]

This is what you are going to be doing if you pursue this

Read my thread that comes before this. ICAB is cracking down on pre-identified adoptions and in the case of our and most agencies, returning applications. We went through a home study, physicals, psychiatric exams, fingerprinting etc. costing about $3500 to be told that ICAB would not accept our application. Despite the fact that the parents had signed a voluntary deed of comittment and the little girl is the foster child of my wife's mother. Your status as native born Filipinos is not going to help much since most people who go this route have at least one prospective parent from the Philippines.

Your first challenge will be finding an agency that will let you do this. I believe there are few that will any more. And then you will have to deal with ICAB who rejected our application outright because the child was pre-identified.

The only other possibility is if the child is a relative within four degrees of consiguity (first cousin or closer) or if you are willing to go back to the Philippines to raise the child for at least 2 years. In this case you can do a local adoption and hope that the US Embassy accepts your application for a permanent visa. THere is no guarantee even if you fulfill the requirements.

Sorry for all the bad news but I don't want other people to experience the heartache of falling in love with a child only to be told you can't adopt them.

[Neo]

Thank you very much for responding to my posting. Sorry to hear about your ordeal. I guess we do not have any choice but to go through an agency. I wish you all the best!

[cungar]

Since you both want a kid and you seem to be interested in Philippines adoption why not just do a conventional international adoption through ICAB and let them select the child for you. You will have to wait 18-24 months after you complete your home study but you won't have the problems that a pre-identified adoption entails. Since you haven't met the this unborn child, you can do this without having to separate emotionally. Just a suggestion. I'm sure you'll find what's best for you.

[Neo]

Have you heard about Wide Horizon Adoption Agency? I got their brochure and they seem very good. They have a program in the Philippines. Thanks

[CalJen]

Wide Horizons is an excellent agency with a good reputation.

Ask any agency you contact how long they've dealt with the Philippines, how many successful adoptions from the Philippines they have facilitated.

You might also ask them for a rough estimate of their time frames. Basically the longest wait is for very young girls and then boys. Your wait will be shorter if you're interested in older children, sibling groups of 3 or more, or children with special needs.

good luck!

[Neo]

Thanks CalJen! I will do just as you suggested.

[artpal]

Originally Posted by CalJen

Wide Horizons is an excellent agency with a good reputation.

Ask any agency you contact how long they've dealt with the Philippines, how many successful adoptions from the Philippines they have facilitated.

You might also ask them for a rough estimate of their time frames. Basically the longest wait is for very young girls and then boys. Your wait will be shorter if you're interested in older children, sibling groups of 3 or more, or children with special needs.

good luck!

Does Wide Horizons cost more than most agencies? If yes, why are they better than the others?

[mom3times]

"Does Wide Horizons cost more than most agencies?"

No they don't