Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

From time to time people have asked if it is possible to adopt Korean babies in Korea. I haven't heard of anyone who has done it before. I'm here to tell you it can be done. I'm American and my spouse is Korean. We adopted under Korean law as a domestic adoption. If two foreigners want to adopt a baby it is considered international adoption as I understand it.

We went to Holt, SWS, Eastern, and Star of the Sea Catholic Orphanage. Eastern said they weren't interested in helping us as they didn't know what to do with an international couple. Then nun at Star of the Sea flat out said she wouldn't help us. The social worker at SWS was willing to help us adopt but their headquarters wanted to make some policies regarding international couples since they were getting more and more applications from them. Unfortunately, that seemed to be a slow process. From the beginning Holt was positive and told us it was no problem as long as we followed Korean law.They were also upfront that they wouldn't held with US immigration.

We filed our paperwork. I think it was a statement of our earnings and assets. There was three pages of personal questions regarding our background and family. We had to do a health check at the BoKwonSo. They did the obligatory chest x-ray, pee in a cup, blood test, eye exam, etc. They did check for hepatitis but not any other diseases. There was also a home visit a few days before our son came to live with us. The fees usually associated with adoption are covered by the national and local government. Basically, it was free except for getting copies of the paperwork and the prices of our health check.

Once Holt had approved us for adoption we got to look at babies. The agency will tell as much as they know about the birth parents background without giving any personal information. I guess this is dependent on the birth mother and how much information she is willing to supply.

It took three months from the time we submitted our paper work till we got our son. Apparently girls take longer. That's when the fun began.....

We had to file papers with the Dong Office and the Gu Office. Some were painless but this being Korea one office wanted a certain paper and the other office said that it was another. Finally, things got sorted out and the papers were filed on the family Hojuk. Now we have to wait a few weeks to petition with the court to change my son's name.

As an adopted child my son gets day care subsidies. We get a monthly stipend for at least two years. He also gets a reduced co-pay on the NHS. In fact it has been free for doctor visits more than once. I've heard of parents getting preferential spots in the high demand kindergartens for their adopted children.

Next up the United States Embassy and Immigration. Will let you know how that goes...

myenglishisno · Joined: 08 Mar 2011 Location: Geumchon

Good job! I wish more people adopted in this country. I wish more people adopted, period.

You are good people.

swinewho · Joined: 17 Aug 2009

Good for you! - hope all works out well!

However I would suggest that 99.999999999% of ESL teachers stick to adopting stray cats! Laughing

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

Thank you.
There's a whole other, more personal story behind this but I'll leave that out for now. I just wanted to post about my experiences and say that adoption in Korea can be done.

RE: swinewho. I would have adopted a cat but I'm allergic to them. However, I'm not allergic to Korean babies. Laughing

ajosshi · Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Location: ajosshi.com

1. Congrats!

2. Thank you

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I think I have a new idol on Dave's. And no, that's not me being sarcastic at all... Mucho respect to the OP. I've long considered adoption, and this story is great to hear.

I wish all the best for you and your growing family, D&C. And if you're ever in Gangnam, I'll buy ya lunch for a more in depth chat about this topic.

madoka · Joined: 27 Mar 2008

dongjak · Joined: 30 Oct 2010

Congrats!

Was there a gap in the number of girls up for adoption vs the number of boys? Or was it pretty equal?

And it only took three months? That seems super fast!

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

Madoka-As they are in the US they will need to speak to an American adoption agency as that is who would be approving them, or not, for adoption. Sorry Korean adoption laws and policies do not effect them.

dongjak- There is a higher demand for girls than boys. And, yes it is super fast compared to Western countries. I think it has something to do with supply and demand. There are far more babies here available for adoption than there are families wanting to adopt.

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

I just wish that it were easier for 2 western parents to adopt in country. It would save a lot of hassle (and cost).

Also, he's the cutest little guy. Congrats again!

definitely maybe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

You and your wife are good people. All the best on your adventures in parenthood.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

I'm the wife in this couple! Wink

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Congrats!

I recommend getting in touch with GOAL (http://goal.or.kr/eng/)

They can definitely give you information on every aspect of adoption, from what you may experience as parents, and what your child will experience. The korean government consults with GOAL regularly, and they give multiple seminars every year with regards to Korean adoption.

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

That's wonderful. A few of my uni students volunteer at some huge orphanage in Seoul. They said it's like 4 floors full of kids, and they all are desperate just to be held. It sounds terrible. I would probably get all emotional in a place like that. I guess nobody wants anything to do with the half-foreign babies. Poor kids.

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010