There are many rumors circulating about the state of Korean adoption programs and the children who wait, so we want to take a moment to dispel incorrect myths and set your mind at ease.
Myth: Korea is closed to international adoption.
From as far back as the 1970s, rumors have been circulating that Korea is closing its doors to inter-country adoption.
Truth: There is no indication that Korean international adoption programs will close.
We continue to regularly receive referrals of Korean children, 6 months to 5 years old (average age is 12-18 months), and are diligently trying to find families for these kids. International adoption from Korea to countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Sweden continues to be a viable and active option for children and families. There is no indication by the Korean government, the Korean judicial branch, or the Korean international adoption agencies that Korean international adoption will close. In fact, the need for families is so great that Korea was the fifth highest in the list of countries placing children with U.S. families in 2014.
Myth: I’m too old to adopt from Korea
Many people believe they are too old to adopt from Korea based on previous age requirements.
Truth: Age maximums have changed based on a couple’s experience with adoption or Korean heritage.
New age maximums affecting many prospective adoptive families were implemented by Korea in the late summer of 2014 as outlined below:
No experience adopting from Korea; Both parents NOT of Korean descent
Maximum age of oldest spouse at time of application: 44 years old (any time before the 45th birthday)
No experience adopting from Korea; one parent of Korean descent; one parent NOT of Korean descent
Maximum age of oldest spouse at time of application: 44 years old (any time before the 45th birthday)
Both parents of Korean descent; adoption experience not relevant
Maximum age of oldest spouse at time of application: 49 years old (any time before the 50th birthday)
Experience adopting from Korea; both parents are NOT of Korean descent
Maximum age of oldest spouse at time of application: 49 years old (any time before the 50th birthday)
One parent Korean adoptee; heritage of other parent not relevant; adoption experience not relevant
Maximum age of oldest spouse at time of application: 49 years old (any time before the 50th birthday)
Myth: I cannot afford to adopt from Korea.
Couples have discovered that the costs associated with the Korean adoption process have increased due to the increased time that children are in care in Korea.
Truth: There are numerous grants and financing options to help defray costs.
Children’s Home Society and generous donors have established an Adoption Support Fund to help defray the costs associated with the adoption process. We have also partnered with Brittany’s Hope Foundation which seeks to financially help families who want to adopt a child who has been waiting for a family. Together, last year we have granted close to a quarter million dollars in grants! To learn more about these and other funding ideas and resources available, please visit our adoption funding page.
Myth: If a child is waiting, there must be something wrong with him.
Because we’ve experienced an increased need to match families to Korean toddler boys, we’ve begun recruiting for more children through our Waiting Identified Children program.
Truth: For many of the boys in this list, their “special need” is the need for an adoptive family.
There a large number of infant and toddler boys waiting for adoptive families in Korea. This is such a stark contrast to even 1-2 years ago when it was adoptive families, not children, waiting for matches in Korea adoption programs. Many of the children currently waiting in the Korea Program wait because we have fewer adoptive parents than boys who need familes. For most of these boys, the only “special need” is the need for an adoptive family. Learn more about why boys wait in our previous blog.
Myth: Adopting from Korea is too complicated.
Because of the increased wait time to bring children home, some couples assume that the process is convoluted and complicated.
Truth: Changes have been implemented to provide realistic timelines and clear steps for families.
The time to complete a Korean adoption has increased, however, the steps that must be completed for the process are clear and similar to other international adoption programs. The process changed in 2013 and, despite longer wait times from acceptance of referral to travel, it is now possible to provide realistic time expectations for families. Families receive regular updates about their child while they wait and can connect with their children through care packages and photographs.
Learn More
You can learn more by visiting our Adopt from Korea page to learn about our adoption program, or contact us to get started today.
