Korea Adoption

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Holt established the first international adoption program in South Korea.

In Korea, children waiting for permanent, loving families are typically 2-3 years old at the time they join their adoptive families and have moderate medical or developmental needs. Most are in nurturing foster families and receive exceptional in-country care while they wait to join their families. With a unique expertise cultivated over more than 65 years in Korea, our Korea team is well equipped to guide your family through the adoption process. We will work closely with you to anticipate needs, overcome obstacles and support you throughout your journey to welcome a child into your family.

Intake for the Korea program is currently closed and Holt’s Korea adoption program is not accepting standard process applications. Contact us at [email protected] to learn about Holt’s other country programs and the children who need families!

Children in Korea Who Need Families

Children are on average 2-3 years old at the time they join their adoptive families.
More boys than girls from Korea need families through international adoption, and families cannot specify a gender preference.
Families must be open to a child with needs, including prenatal alcohol/tobacco exposure and developmental delays. Contact us at [email protected] for more information on common child needs.
All children stay in nurturing foster families while they wait, and a significant amount of information is typically available about the child, including any known/reported history from the child’s birth family.
Older children and those with more involved needs are featured on our waiting child photolisting.
Children with few or no identified needs are adopted domestically in Korea. As a result, Holt needs families able to parent a child with more involved needs.

Meet the children waiting for a family

Please subscribe to our Korea waiting child newsletter to see and read about waiting children from Korea.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from Korea

Intake for the Korea program is currently closed and Holt’s Korea adoption program is not accepting standard process applications.

Parent’s Age

Both parents must be between the ages of 25 and 40 at time of homestudy approval.
Please contact us at [email protected] or 833-346-9044 prior to applying if either parent is near age 40.
If one or both parents is Korean or a Korean adoptee, or the prospective family has previously adopted from Korea, the upper age limit is 49.5. The maximum age of 49.5 applies to both parents. Please note that the homestudy must be approved before either parent turns 50.

Length of Marriage

Applicants must be married for at least three years.

Divorce

Applicants may have up to one divorce each.

Children in Family

Applicants may have up to four children already in the home, and the youngest child must be at least 1 year old at time of application.

Single Applicant

Single applicants are not accepted.

Travel

Two trips are required.
Both parents are required to travel on the first trip.
One or both parents may travel on the second trip, but if only one parent travels, an additional adult travel companion is recommended.

How Long It Takes

The average estimated time frame from application to placement is 2-4 years.

Waiting Child Program

Families may request files for waiting children, but they may not be matched until they have an approved homestudy.
Families with an approved homestudy may be matched more quickly.

Additional Information

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required for both parents.
If either parent has any medical conditions or an arrest record, please contact the Korea program prior to application.
Families with a current mental health diagnosis, such as depression or anxiety, are not eligible.
Families currently on a medication classified as an antidepressant (even if prescribed for a non-mental health issue) are not eligible.
Families with a past diagnosis of depression or mental health issues should please contact the Korea program staff directly to discuss eligibility.
The maximum permitted body mass index (BMI) is 35, and all parents with a BMI in the range of 30-35 should contact their physician for a medical letter after applying.
Homestudies must be completed by a Hague-accredited agency. Visit our homestudy page to see if a Hague-accredited agency currently serves families in your state.

Fees for Korea Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download korea fees pdf

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

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]

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Korea Adoption FAQs

Are there any special considerations for Korean adoptees, Korean Americans or repeat adoptive families?

Yes! Standard eligibility guidelines state that parents must be no older than 44.5 at the time of application. But if one applicant is Korean American or a Korean adoptee — or if a family has previously adopted a child from Korea — we can accept your application until either spouse is 49.5.

Do we need to be open to a child of either gender?

More boys are eligible for international adoption than girls because most girls in need of adoptive families are adopted domestically within Korea. All families must be open to adopting a child of either gender and should expect to most likely be matched with a boy. Families cannot decline a child referral based on the gender of a child.

What kind of information is available about the children?

Child information is one of the tremendous strengths of the Korea adoption program. Since the program is so well established, there is generally a great deal of information available about the child, including any known/reported history from the child’s birth family. Children receive a well-baby check every month and families can generally expect to receive updated photos of their child at varying intervals throughout the process.

How long does it take to adopt from Korea?

Must families travel to Korea to adopt their child?

Can families in all 50 states adopt from Korea?

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

Help Protect International Adoption for Children

Your gift today will help a child be adopted, care for them while they wait, and even ensure that they receive critical post-adoption help for life!

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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!

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Apply Online

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

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Hear What Families Have to Say About Adopting Through Holt

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Inquire About Korea Adoption

Holt is ready to answer your questions! It only takes a few minutes to submit your inquiry. Our adoption specialists will be in touch with you within one business day.

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Intake for the Korea program is currently closed and Holt’s Korea adoption program is not accepting standard process applications.

Holt International is a Hague-accredited agency with adoption programs in these locations: