Korea

If you are interested in this program and reside in South Carolina, please contact Heather Gordon for an update.

Read the most recent news about our Korea adoption program (click here to read).

Watch our Adopting From Korea webinar (30 minutes) by clicking here.

“Our experience with CAS was awesome! There was never a time I felt that you were not working for us or the children. If you did not know an answer, you would get back to us. It was a great experience!” -M. DV.

Quick Reference

Children:

7-8 months of age at time of match

Parent Requirements:

Age: 25-44
Marriage: 3 years
Number of Children in the Home: 4 or under
Must live in North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina or Virginia.

*Before applying, please call to speak with Heather Gordon, Korea program coordinator, to discuss program requirements.

Estimated Process Timeline:

From packet submission to referral: up to 12 months
From referral to travel: 5-7 months
In-Country stay: 4-7 days

Children Available

Children available for adoption are primarily infants. A referral for twins, older children, or siblings is rare. In most cases adoption plans have been made by unmarried birth mothers who have relinquished their parental rights.

Since 2007, Korean adoption law requires that children be available for domestic placement for up to 6 months, before becoming available for international adoption. Koreans tend to request girls, leaving more boys available for international adoption.

The adjustment of these children to their families has been outstanding. The Korean Social Welfare Society (SWS) gives exceptional care to the Korean birth mothers and infants.

The infants are nurtured in private foster care and receive regular medical attention of the highest quality.

Carolina Adoption Services networks with Family and Children’s Agency (FCA). Since 1982, FCA has worked collaboratively with the Korean Social Welfare Society placing over 2,000 Korean children in American homes.

Eligible Applicants

The Korean government and SWS have established requirements of eligibility for prospective parents. These are not necessarily the requirements of Carolina Adoption Services or FCA.

Couples must be married for at least 3 years and there can be no more than one divorce per person. SWS does not work with single applicants.
Both members of the couple must be between the ages of 25 and 44 years upon placement. SWS requires the visa for the child to be issued prior to either person in the couple turning 45 years old.
SWS requires a husband to be no more than 8 years older than his wife. A wife must be no more than 2 years older than her husband.
Specific health and/or emotional conditions, for applicants or children in the home, may exclude applicants.
Applicants must have no criminal record or criminal history.
Parents cannot exceed a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29.9. Please refer to the attached Korea BMI Chart.
SWS does not allow gender preference, unless the couple would like to specify a male. Exceptions: If a family has previously adopted a male child from Korea through FCA, the family may request a female.
Residence Requirement: FCA and SWS maintain legal custody of the child until FCA and SWS consent to the adoption after 3 post-placement reports. Families cannot relocate until the adoption has been finalized.
SWS does not allow concurrent adoptions.
FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS please contact Heather Gordon, CAS Korea Program Coordinator.

Program & Process

The Korea adoption process is the oldest and most predictable of international adoption programs. Families must be open to a child of either gender. Returning adoptive families may specify a child of opposite gender to their first placement. The children are generally around 15-17 months old when they arrive home.

Carolina Adoption Services is licensed in NC, VA, SC, and NJ, and families must live in one of these states to enter the Korea program. This is a requirement of SWS, as they prefer that families’ home study and placement agency is the same. Applicants must provide evidence of adequate educational preparation and complete a home study.

SWS does not require a dossier. The home study and several other documents are submitted to SWS to assist them in matching a child to you. The wait for a referral is currently up to 12 months after submission of the program packet to SWS. However, families that are eligible to request a girl referral need to be prepared to wait longer. The referral package consists of photos, medical history and social history of the infant selected for you. Children generally arrive home 5-7 months from the time of acceptance. Families are urged to remember that time frames may vary and change at any time.

Families are required to travel to Korea. Families are welcome to stay at SWS’s guest apartments, which were built specifically for adoptive parents. The in-country stay is approximately 4-7 days.

SWS and FCA hold legal guardianship of the child until the adoption is finalized in the U.S. Three post-placement visits and reports must be completed prior to finalization. After the adoption is finalized families must apply for a citizenship certificate for their child.

The Country

South Korea, or the Republic of Korea, is a democracy and has a population of over 45 million people. Its capital city is Seoul. Located on the Korean peninsula in Northeast Asia, South Korea is known for its natural and rugged beauty, including huge mountains, and beautiful islands along the coastline.

This beauty is reflected in Korean art and Korean people are proud of both their country and their rich culture. Buddhism, Shamanism, and Confucianism are the primary religions.