The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) if informing the public that only those placement of a child to prospective adoptive parent/s approved by the DSWD and by the Courts are considered legal adoption. Hence, the DSWD is urging the public to enjoin and support the DSWD’s advocacy campaigns against illegal adoption of children by not participating and engaging into different transactions that promotes this illegal practice which endangers the lives of our children, biological parents and adoptive parents as their rights are not protected under Republic Act 8552 or the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998. Any person/s who will be found guilty of this illegal act will be apprehended and punished under the law.

Further, the DSWD is reiterating that the services of the DSWD are free but the applicat/s will spend for securing the documents required during the administrative phase of adoption. Also, the applicant/s or petitioner/s for adoption of a child will spend considerable amount of money in getting the services of a private lawyer whose cost of services varies such as but not limited to acceptance fee and appearance fee during the finalization of adoption in court.

As to the services of licensed and accredited Child-Placing Agency by DSWD such as NORFIL Foundation Inc., the applicant/s may inquire on the cost of fees and charges from the said agency.

Individuals or couples who wish to adopt a child should contact directly and transact only with the DSWD Field Offices or licensed and accredited Child-Placing Agencies or you may visit DSWD website at www.fo3.dswd.gov.ph for futher information.

• DSWD Field Office III – Adoption Resource and Referral Section | (045) 246-70-21 | arrs.fo3@e-dswd.net

We urge the public to report to the DSWD Field Office III, thru its telephone number and email address mentioned above for any cases of illegal adoption of children for appropriate legal action. Rest assured that your identity will be kept private.