Adoption Requirements and Documents Checklist in the Philippines
Direct answer: A domestic administrative adoption petition requires case-study reports, civil-registry records, clearances, consents, medical and psychological evaluations, a child-care plan, references, photographs and proof of financial capacity. The exact checklist can change with the facts, so confirm the current version with the RACCO before filing.
Core statutory checklist
- home study report and child case study report;
- PSA security-paper or authenticated birth records of the prospective parents and adoptee;
- marriage certificate, or applicable court decision and certificate of finality for annulment, divorce or legal separation;
- NBI or police clearance, plus required foreign police clearances for a foreign national;
- written consents required by law after counseling;
- death certificates of biological parents where applicable;
- original CDCLAA where applicable;
- recent medical evaluations of the adoptee and prospective parents;
- psychological evaluation of the prospective parents;
- psychological evaluation of a child aged five or older;
- child-care plan naming at least three temporary custodians in order of preference;
- three non-relative character references, preferably including an employer, supervisor or business contact;
- recent close-up and whole-body photographs; and
- documents proving financial capacity.
Whose written consent may be required?
Under Republic Act No. 11642, consent may be required from the adoptee aged 10 or older; the known biological parents, legal guardian or government custodian; specified children of the adopter aged 10 or older; and the spouse of the adopter or adoptee. Children below 10 must be counseled and consulted but do not execute written consent.
Documents that depend on the adoption type
| Situation | Additional focus |
|---|---|
| Step-parent adoption | Marriage and filiation records, biological-parent status and consents. |
| Relative adoption | Proof of relationship, household history and parental or custody records. |
| Adult adoption | Proof the adult was consistently treated as the adopter’s child for at least three years. |
| Foreign national | Residence, police clearances, diplomatic and recognition/entry requirements. |
Before submitting
- Use the RACCO’s current official forms.
- Check names, dates and places against PSA records.
- Ask whether originals, certified copies, authentication or translation are required.
- Do not conceal an inconsistent record, prior petition, guardianship, criminal case or foreign residence.
- Keep a complete private copy and submission log.
RACCO and the adoption social worker may request additional documents necessary to prove a factual claim. A complete-looking checklist is therefore not a guarantee that the petition is ready for decision.
Related adoption guides
Use the Adoption in the Philippines hub for the full topic map and the complete adoption overview for an end-to-end explanation. For sequence, see the domestic adoption process.
Primary sources
- Republic Act No. 11642 — qualifications, consent, documents, administrative procedure, legal effects and rescission.
- National Authority for Child Care — current RACCO contacts, orientation and filing guidance.
Legal information only. Requirements depend on the facts and current NACC/RACCO instructions. This guide is not legal advice.
