Carolina Adoption Services works in partnership with Family and Children’s Agency (FCA), a Connecticut adoption agency, to facilitate adoptions from South Korea. Since 1982, Family and Children’s Agency has worked with the Korean Social Welfare Society (SWS) to place South Korean children with adoptive families.
About the Children
In most cases, adoption plans have been made by unmarried birth mothers who have relinquished their parental rights. The Korean Social Welfare Society (SWS) gives exceptional care to birth mothers and children.
South Korean adoption law requires that children be available for domestic placement for up to 5 months before becoming available for international adoption. Koreans tend to request girls for adoption, leaving more boys available for adoption outside of Korea. Therefore, families adopting for the first time through this program will be matched with a boy. Returning families may choose a gender preference.
The children available for adoption are nurtured in private foster homes and receive regular medical attention of the highest quality. The adjustment of these children to their adoptive families has been outstanding.
About the Program and Process
Family and Children’s Agency and Carolina Adoption Services work together to assist each family through their adoption process. CAS provides home study and post-adoption services as well as ongoing support with the program packet. Families must reside in one of the states where CAS is licensed to provide home study services – North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
Applicants must provide evidence of adequate educational preparation and complete a home study. Currently, the Social Welfare Society does not require a dossier. The home study and several other documents are submitted to SWS to assist them in matching a child to you. The wait to be matched is currently 1-6 months from the time the home study packet is sent to SWS.
Once the Social Welfare Society matches you to a child, you’ll receive photos, a medical history and social history of the child selected for you. Approximately 10-12 months after receiving a referral, families will travel to meet their child and attend court. After a short waiting period, a ruling will be issued and the child will be eligible for a visa. Families will travel to pick up their child about 4-10 weeks after returning from the first trip.
Parental Eligibility Requirements
The South Korean government and Social Welfare Society have established requirements of eligibility for prospective parents. Requirements include:
- Couples must be married for at least 3 years and there can be no more than one divorce per person.
- Families can have no more than 4 children already in the home.
- Both members of the couple must be between the ages of 25 and 44 years old when the program packet is submitted. One parent may be 50 or younger if any of the following apply: Couple has adopted from South Korea before, or one parent is Korean.
- Couples should have no more than a 10-year age difference between each spouse.
- Specific health and/or emotional conditions, for applicants or children in the home, may exclude applicants.
- Applicants must have no criminal record or criminal history.
- Parents cannot exceed a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29.9. Please click here for the SWS BMI chart.
- Residence Requirement: Applicants must be residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
- FCA does not allow gender preference (first adoption).
South Korea Adoption Travel: What to Expect
Families will make 2 one-week-long trips 4-10 weeks apart. Social Welfare Society is in Seoul, a very modern city much like New York City. Families are welcome to stay at the Social Welfare Society’s guest apartments, which were built specifically for adoptive parents.
Finalizing the Adoption
Adoptions are finalized in South Korea. Children travel home on an IR-3 visa, allowing them to receive automatic Citizenship upon entering the United States. Families are required to complete 6 post-placement visits with Carolina Adoption Services. These reports and a copy of the Certificate of Citizenship must be sent to Korea to fulfill your post-placement obligations for your adoption.
South Korea Adoption: The Country
South Korea, or the Republic of Korea, is a democracy and has a population of over 45 million people. Its capital city is Seoul. Located on the Korean peninsula in Northeast Asia, South Korea is known for its natural and rugged beauty, including mountains, and beautiful islands along the coastline.
The beauty is reflected in Korean art and Korean people are proud of both their country and their rich culture. Buddhism, Shamanism, and Confucianism are the primary religions.