At this time, we are not accepting new applications for this program
Children in South Korea
Children to be adopted in South Korea are legally relinquished by their birth parent(s). Children are generally 12 months to 16 months at the time of match. Children may have been prenatally exposed to alcohol. Some children have been born prematurely and some exhibit developmental delays. The greatest need is for applicants open to parenting boys with minor/correctable to lifelong needs.
The Care in South Korea
Children in South Korea under the care of an adoption agency are usually cared for in foster homes until the adoption is completed. Respected child welfare agencies run the foster care system, which usually involves one-on-one foster care. In some cases, there may be more than one child in a foster home. Foster mothers are all full-time providers who receive training, support, and medical care from the Korean child welfare agency. In turn, these foster mothers provide care, love, and protection for the children in a family environment. Foster fathers and adult children are often active in the care of the children as well.
Eligibility Requirements
Like all international adoption programs, South Korea has its own unique eligibility requirements. Applicants must be heterosexual couples married for at least three years. Applicants must be ages 25-44 at the time of home study approval. There is an age exception, allowing applicants to be 25-49 years of age at the time of home study approval if one of these conditions are met: 1) the applicants have previously adopted from South Korea; or 2) at least one parent is of Korean heritage. Families cannot have more than four children already in the home. All applicants should be free of serious physical or mental illness, and criminal history. Families must be open to parenting boys.
Please contact us to discuss your individual eligibility.
The Process
South Korea is a signatory to the Hague Convention but has not yet ratified. The first steps are to apply and begin your home study. If you live in Minnesota, Children’s Home can complete your home study. If you live elsewhere, you will need to find an agency licensed in your state to complete your home study, we will act as the primary provider/placing agency. Then, we will guide you to apply for approval from USCIS. We anticipate the wait for a referral (match to a child) to be 5-8 months. After referral acceptance is completed, we assist you in compiling an Acceptance Dossier that is sent to South Korea. Two trips of approximately 5-6 days each are required. We anticipate that travel for the first trip will occur 8-11 months after completion of the acceptance dossier, and that travel for the second trip will occur 2-3 months after the first trip.
The child will be issued an IR-3 visa by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and your adoption will be finalized in South Korea. You will automatically receive a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS after your return to the U.S.
Post placement reports written by a social worker are required 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months after placement.
Korea Cost EstimateHelpful Resources
View South Korea Country FlyerGlobal Family SupportApplication Part 1
