The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announces that only those children placed in custody of prospective adoptive parent/s approved by DSWD and by the Courts shall be considered for legal adoption.

The DSWD urges the public to support its advocacy campaign against illegal adoption of children by not participating and engaging in this practice, and by reporting any proven knowledge of practice of illegal adoption.

Illegal adoption endangers the lives of children, biological parents and adoptive parents as their rights are not protected under Republic Act 8552 of the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998.

Any person found guilty of illegal adoption shall be apprehended and punished under RA 8552.

DSWD reiterates that its services are free. Applicants will only spend to secure documents required during the administrative phase of adoption, and for the services of a private lawyer during the finalization phase of adoption in court.

Individuals or couples wishing to adopt a child should contact and transact only with any DSWD Regional Office throughout the country and with Norfil Foundation, Inc., a licensed and accredited child-placing agency located at 16 Mother Ignacia Ave. cor. Roces Ave. in Quezon City. The DSWD Office in Davao City is at cor. R. Magsaysay Ave. and D. Suazo St. with telephone numbers 227-1964 and 227-8746.

To continuously promote legal adoption, DSWD spearheads the observance of Adoption Consciousness Week every second week of February. (DSWD)