Adopting a child will not change the world; but for that one child, the whole world changes!

Specific country information:
Russia
Thailand
Lithuania
Philippines
India

 

 

 

 

 

Country Requirements

All countries have requirements for adoptive parents, criteria that they feel are in the best interests of the children they are seeking families for.  Below are the criteria for adoptions via ICANZ.

You must be:

Note: This chart is not intended to be inclusive of all requirements. It is intended to give basic requirements only. In some countries criteria can be waived or eased if you are applying to adopt "waiting children". Timeframes may also differ in these cases. Contact ICANZ to discuss your personal situation.

Note: Some programmes have limited numbers of applicants per year. Contact ICANZ for details.

 

  Age of Applicant Marital Status 7 Age of Child at Placement Gender Preference Family Size Approx Travel Length of Time 1
Thailand BOTH under 43 AT TIME OF PLACEMENT for children under 3. Older couples accepted for children over 5 Married two years. No more than 1 divorce Under 3 years. Some older children   Only for 2nd Thai adoption   Childless couples only for children under 3, with infertility or medical reason for childlessness 1 trip, 8-16 days Usually under 12 months
Lithuania, waiting child programme Under 50, preferably no more than 40 yrs between parent and oldest child Married, no more than 1 divorce Waiting List children:4
1. Siblings groups of 3+ children, oldest child over 9
2. Individual children over 9
3. Children with medical needs any age		 Allowed     No set restrictions 1 or 2 trips 6 - 12 months
Lithuania, regular programme No more than 40 years between parent and child at time of placement Married, no more than 1 divorce Children usually 5-8 years Allowed No set restrictions 2 trips 2 - 3 years
Russia 3 Prefer no more than 40 yrs4 between parent and child Married one year or single Infants from 10 months.  Many older children and siblings with older siblings at least 6 years Allowed No set restrictions 1st: 7 days
2nd: 7-16 days plus 		3 to 12 months
Philippines No more than 45 years between parent and child Married 3 years4, no more than 1 divorce or singles with restrictions5 Mostly children over 5 years, some between 2 and 5 years. Occasionally siblings with one school age child Usually not allowed     No more than 2 children at home, childless couples preferred, except for for applicants for waiting children or school age children 1 trip, 10 days Expected approx 12-18 months
India Joint age of 90 years maximum for children under 5. Max average age gap between parent and child of 45 years for older children Married with 5 years of relationship4 or single6 Over 4 years unless NRI or OCR Allowed   No more than 3 children at home in most cases 1 trip, 10 days Expected approx 12-18 months. 3-9 months for a referral of child over 5 years

1. Length of time is calculated from the time you submit your documents to the overseas country to the time of referral. It is our current best estimate. However, many factors can extend, or shorten the length of time. Be assured that ICANZ will do our utmost to keep your process moving in a timely manner, but there is absolutely no guarantee of timeframes. 
3. ICANZ is awaiting accreditation in Russia.
4. Length of marriage or age criteria may be waived in some cases eg if a relationship existed and/or you are applying for “waiting” children. Contact ICANZ
5. Singles accepted only for children 6 and above, have minor correctable medical conditions or come from difficult backgrounds.
6. Singles accepted only for girls aged 5 - 10.
7. None of the above countries accept applications from gay or lesbian couples.

For specific country information you may go directly to more detailed information on each programme:

When new ICANZ adoption programmes are developed, country specific information will be made available as soon as possible.