International Adoption

Why choose Holt for your adoption?

We pioneered international adoption 65 years ago and we remain the leaders today, upholding the highest ethical standards as we unite loving, permanent families with children who truly need them. We are a Hague-accredited agency and we work with families of all backgrounds, including families of diverse religions, ages and marital status. Before pursuing adoption, we always explore the possibility of helping a child remain or reunite with their birth family. We also stand by adoptees and their families for their entire lives — providing quality care to children waiting to join families, as well as post-adoption resources, education and support to families and adult adoptees. You can rest assured that we are doing adoption the right way. Contact us at [email protected] or at 1-888-355-4658 to learn more about adopting through Holt!

Start Your Journey in Adoption

Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

Request Free Adoption Information

Click below to complete our inquiry form or email us at [email protected] to connect with one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Info Meetings

Check out our free, virtual adoption information meetings open to families in all 50 states!

Learn more

Apply Online

Ready to start your adoption journey? Click below to apply, or email us at [email protected] if you have questions!

Apply Now

“We found the Holt staff to be transparent, trustworthy, knowledgeable, kind, encouraging and professional. We are so thankful that our adoption experience was a positive one and our lives have forever been changed for the better with the addition of our son. We can’t say enough good things about working with Holt!”
Jade & David Sekula | Adopted Micah from China in 2018

Get to Know the Children Who Need Families

Through the years, the children who need families through international adoption have changed. Children may be older in age, part of a sibling group and/or have special medical, physical, developmental or emotional needs. The typical profile of child also varies by country. Here is a quick location-based overview of the children who need families. Visit each location page or contact us at [email protected] or 1-888-355-4658 for more information!

Quick Overview of Children Who Need Families by Location

Children may be older in age, part of a sibling group and/or have special medical, physical, developmental or emotional needs. Here is a quick overview. Visit each location program page and read Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption to learn more.

location	ages	special needs	siblings	current setting
Bulgaria	2–15	Varying degrees of physical or developmental needs and/or emotional needs related to trauma and loss	✔︎	Foster home or institutional settings
Colombia	1-16	Varying degrees of medical, developmental or psychological conditions	✔︎	Foster care or group homes
Haiti	5-13	Varying degrees of medical or developmental special needs	✔︎	Institutional settings
Hong Kong	1-15	Moderate to major medical or developmental special needs	Occasionally	Foster care or group homes
Korea	2-5	Varying degrees of special needs, including prenatal alcohol exposure and developmental delays	No	Foster care
Mongolia	4-14	Varying degrees of medical, developmental or psychological conditions	✔︎	Institutional settings
Philippines	9-15	Minor special needs and/or a complex parental history	✔︎	Foster care or institutional settings
South Africa	2-15	Varying degrees of physical, developmental or emotional special needs	✔︎	Institutional settings
Taiwan	2-15	Developmental delays and/or a complicated birth family history	✔︎	Foster care
Thailand	2-15	Minor to moderate developmental or medical special needs	Occasionally	Foster care or institutional settings
Vietnam	5-10+	Minor to moderate medical, developmental or emotional special needs	✔︎	Institutional settings

Quick Overview of Parental Eligibility Requirements

View the chart below for a snapshot of eligibility requirements to adopt from each of Holt’s country programs. Please visit each adoption country page for a full list of eligibility requirements and contact our adoption team at [email protected] or 1-888-355-4658 before applying! Some programs may have flexible requirements depending on the profile of child you are open to adopting.

location	Parent’s Age	Length of Marriage	Children in Family	Single Applicant
Bulgaria	• 25-49 for a child older than 12 months • 50-55 for a child 5 years or older	• One year at the time of homestudy approval • Two years if a history of divorce		• Single women and men • Single men will only be approved for boys 8 or older with moderate or significant special needs, 10 or older with lesser involved needs
Colombia	• 25 or older • Parents at least 15 years but no more than 45 years older than the child (50 if open to an older child or certain special needs) • Parents over 50 may adopt an older child or sibling group	• Two years of cohabitation • Cohabitating couples must be married or able to document legal equivalent — or one parent must qualify as a single applicant	• No regulation, but living space and financial stability carefully considered • Families adopting an older child may need a dedicated bedroom for the incoming child	• Single men and women can adopt children over 10, sibling groups or younger children with more involved needs • Cohabitating single applicants accepted case by case
Haiti	• If parents married 5+ years, only one parent needs to be 30 or older • If parents married <5 years, both must be 30-50	• At least five years married or proven cohabitation at the time of application	• No regulation regarding children already in the home	• Single women, 35-50 years old • Applicants 48+, contact the Haiti program prior to applying
Hong Kong	• At least 25 years at time of dossier submission • Maximum age 55, but exceptions are possible	• At least three years at time of dossier submission • If a history of multiple divorces, minimum length for current marriage is 5 years	• Youngest child must be at least 1 at time of application • No limit on # of children in the home • Larger families and out-of-birth-order placements carefully assessed	• Single women and men with sufficient childcare ability, parenting experience and strong support systems may apply • Must be at least 25 at time of dossier submission • Single applicants with children already will be carefully assessed
Korea	• Both parents 25-40 at time of homestudy approval • Must be at least a 22-year age difference between the child and the youngest adoptive parent	• At least three years	• Up to four children already in home, youngest child at least 1 at time of application	• No
Mongolia	• Both parents 30-50 at time of application • Must be at least a 22-year age difference between the child and the youngest adoptive parent	• Couples must be married for at least five years at time of application	• Mongolia has no regulation on number of children already in the home	• Only single women may apply
Philippines	• At least 27, with no more than 45-year age difference between primary caregiver and child • Parents under 50 at time of dossier approval eligible for standard process • If one parent is 50+ at time of dossier submission, only eligible for the Special Home Finding (SHF) program or Special Needs Project (SNP) for older children and children with special needs	• At least three years at time of dossier submission • One year legal marriage, two of documented cohabitation, also OK	• Up to three children in home at time of application, youngest at least 1 at time of dossier submission • Families with 4+ children considered case by case if adopting from SHF program	• Single applicants accepted for SHF and SNP programs
South Africa	• 25-49 years old, with no more than 45-year age difference between parent and child	• Couples (married or committed partners) together for a minimum of one year and assessed to have a stable relationship	• If five or more children living in your home, please contact us before applying	• Single women and men
Taiwan	• 25-48 years old • Up to 55 if adopting an older child (age 7+, but possibly younger case by case)	• Three years at time of application • If previously divorced, current marriage must be five years at time of application	• If adopting young children with minor issues, no more than two children in home • If adopting waiting children, no more than five children • Youngest child at least a year old at time of application	• Accepted case by case for children on our waiting child photolisting • Not eligible to adopt sibling groups • No more than one divorce • See additional requirements
Thailand	• For the standard program, mother must be under 40 and father under 45 at time of application • Requirements may be flexible for waiting children	• At least two and a half years before applying	• For the standard program, a family may have up to one child already in their home • At least 2 years old at time of application	• Single applicants considered case by case for waiting children
Vietnam	• 25 or older • Parents 55+ considered on a case-by-case basis • Must be at least 20 years older than the child	• Couples must be married for at least one year before applying	• Up to four children already in home • Families with more than four children considered case by case	• Yes

Holt Has International Adoption Programs in 11 Locations

We work with families in all 50 states to find loving homes for children from 11 locations around the world! Explore our international adoption programs below or contact us at [email protected] or 1-888-355-4658 to discuss which program is the right fit for your family. Every child and family is different and we strive to unite each child with the family best equipped to meet their unique needs.

Latino mother and son hugging each other on a patio chair

Are you looking to adopt a relative from another country?

For individuals who live in the U.S. and hope to adopt a child in their extended family overseas, Holt offers international relative adoption in Haiti, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam!

Learn more about relative adoption

Meet the children on our waiting child photolisting

Our photolisting features children who need additional advocacy to help them join a permanent, loving family that is uniquely equipped and prepared to parent them.

waiting Child Photolisting

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

Steps to Adopt

At every step along your adoption journey, we’ll provide guidance and support and help prepare you for what to expect.

Talk to your agency about which adoption program may be best for your family. Each location sets its own eligibility guidelines, referral processes and legal requirements, affecting not just the time, travel and cost of adoption, but also who can adopt. The age, gender and needs of a child waiting for a family may be different from country to country.

Apply online! If you’re ready to start your adoption journey, the first step is to create a Holt portal account, then submit an application. Once your application has been received, we will give you access to our online parent handbook, which provides links to download relevant documents and paperwork, guides you through the process and provides ample information about your specific adoption program.

Bring on the paperwork! Complete your homestudy and begin your parent education courses. Prepare your dossier and send it overseas for approval. Begin the immigration process, including the steps for visa approval.

Receive “the call” from Holt, letting you know that you’ve been matched with a child. Get to know him or her through photos, medical updates and more.

Meet your child! Once all the legal steps and immigration processes are complete, you will travel to finalize the adoption process and meet your child. Travel home to bond together as a family.

Stay involved with Holt. Adoption is a lifelong journey. Holt’s post adoption services are available to your family and your child throughout your lives, even after your child becomes an adult.