Adoption should be an act of love — not a legal maze.
That’s the heart of Republic Act No. 11642, also known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act.
This groundbreaking law, signed on January 28, 2022, replaces long and costly court adoption cases with a faster, cheaper, and more compassionate administrative process, managed by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).
Here’s what that means for families across the Philippines.
From Court Hearings to Care Offices: What Changed?
Before RA 11642, adoptive parents had to file petitions in court — a process that took 2 to 3 years, required legal counsel, and came with steep costs.
Now, all domestic adoptions, including those involving relatives, stepchildren, or adult adoptees, are processed administratively through the NACC’s regional offices (RACCOs).
No judges.
No court hearings.
Just a clear, child-focused process that’s faster and more affordable.
The NACC: The New Face of Adoption Services
RA 11642 created the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), which now has full control over:
- Domestic administrative adoption
- Inter-country adoption
- Foster care, kinship care, and other alternative options
- Declaring children legally available for adoption (CDCLAA)
The NACC is backed by a Council, a professional Secretariat, and a fully digital case-management system. That means:
- Online submission and tracking of petitions
- Electronic record updates and notifications
- Real-time dashboards for adoption workers
- Integration with e-payment systems for convenience
Goodbye Years of Waiting: Fast-Tracked Adoption Timelines
RA 11642 enforces strict deadlines for every step:
- CDCLAA issuance: Within 7 working days
- RACCO review: 15 working days
- Deputy Director review: 15 working days
- Final approval by Executive Director: 15 working days
Altogether, the process can be completed in as fast as 52 working days.
Affordable Adoption: Socialized Administrative Fees
Adopting a child shouldn’t bankrupt anyone.
RA 11642 lets the NACC set low-cost or waived fees based on the adoptive family’s income. This covers:
- Petition filing
- Home and child study reports
- Matching and certification
Just submit a certificate of indigency or proof of income and the NACC adjusts the fees accordingly.
After Adoption: Continued Support for Families
Support doesn’t stop once papers are signed.
The law includes:
- Pre- and post-adoption counseling
- Supervised Trial Custody to monitor the child’s adjustment
- Parenting support for challenging transitions
- Assistance in tracing biological families (for adult adoptees)
- Parenting capability assessments in contested cases
It’s not just about forming a family — it’s about making that family thrive.
Who Can Adopt?
You’re eligible if you:
- Are a Filipino citizen, at least 25 years old
- Are at least 16 years older than the child
- Are emotionally and financially stable
Also eligible:
- Legal guardians after guardianship ends
- Long-term foster parents
- Government employees working abroad
- Foreigners who’ve lived in the Philippines for at least 5 years, and whose country has a reciprocal adoption agreement
Who Can Be Adopted?
Children must have a Certificate Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA), except in specific family or stepparent cases.
Eligible children include:
- Orphans and abandoned children
- Illegitimate or legitimated children
- Stepchildren, relatives (up to 4th degree)
- Children from rescinded adoptions
- Long-term fostered children
- Adults in cases with emotional or familial basis
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RA 11642?
It’s a law that removed courts from domestic adoption and placed the process under the National Authority for Child Care (NACC). - Who processes adoptions now?
All domestic adoptions are now handled by NACC regional offices, known as RACCOs. - How long does the adoption process take?
Under 90 working days — with most cases finishing in about 52 days. - Is it expensive to adopt now?
No. Fees are socialized based on income. Low-income families may pay less or nothing at all. - Can foreigners adopt?
Yes, if they’ve lived in the Philippines for at least 5 years and their country has a reciprocal agreement. - Is there help after adoption?
Yes. Counseling, trial custody supervision, and family tracing services are all part of the law’s post-adoption care.
Watch: Mas Pinadali na ang Proseso ng Pag-aampon sa Pilipinas! Narito ang Bagong Batas!
Atty. Chel Diokno explains how Republic Act No. 11642 removed the need for court hearings in domestic adoption.
Filipinos can now adopt through an administrative process handled by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC).
The law lays out clear steps — from eligibility checks to trial custody — making the journey more accessible for loving families.
Once approved, the child gains full legal status as a legitimate family member, complete with a new name.
This change opens doors for more families to give care, stability, and belonging to children who need it most.
Final Thoughts
Adoption is not about paperwork — it’s about people.
RA 11642 honors that by making adoption in the Philippines simpler, faster, and more supportive for both children and parents.
It proves that when systems work with heart, more Filipino families can be built on love — not long lines.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational use only. For accurate and up-to-date instructions, consult the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) or visit your nearest RACCO office.