How to Start a Private Adoption in Korea?

I’ve been asked this kind of question so frequently.  Since I’ve posted an article on Private Adoption by Non-Koreans in Korea, there have been so many people who wants to know more about it.

The first step you should take is, of course, finding a kid to be adopted, which I think the most difficult factor in private adoption process.  For most cases I’ve handled, clients brought the case with the kid.  I don’t know exactly how they could do that.  There has been a client who got some help from his relative in Korea or from church people.  As a matter of law, Korean adoption agencies are not doing private adoption.  It is out of their business permitted by the law.  I’ve heard some shelters for unmarried mother is helping the mother to find adoptive parents.  You may do some researches using Internet search sites such as naver.com or yahoo.co.kr.

Once you locate a child to be adopted, the rest thing is all of documentation and filing in which my office has strong experiences.  I think it may take one or two months to complete the whole procedure.  It can, however, vary depending on the situation.

Also please don’t miss U.S. immigration issues. You have to consult a competent U.S. immigration lawyer if the adoptee can acquire adequate U.S. visa and a green card.  I’ve heard that after 2 years living with U.S. adopters, an adoptee shall get the visa.  I strongly suggest you not to initiate a private adoption process unless you surely clear these issues.

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