Application Guide for Prospective Adoptive Parents

What is the application for prospective adoptive parents?

- With the enforcement of the Special Act on Domestic Adoption in Korea” (fully amended on July 18, 2023) effective July 19, 2025, the overall adoption process previously handled by private adoption agencies will be carried out under the responsibility of the central government and local governments. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, local governments, and the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) will proceed with adoption procedures in accordance with the principle of “the best interests of the child” under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and will be responsible for ensuring the safety and rights of all adopted children.

What documents are required?

• 1 copy of the Adoption Application Form
• Consent Form for Criminal Records Check: 1 copy per prospective adoptive parent
• Consent Form for Inquiry into the National Child Abuse Information System: 1 copy
• Certificate of Completion for the Introductory Training: 1 copy per prospective adoptive parent
  * Completion of the “Integrated Training for Prospective Family-Based Care Parents (Introductory Training)” is required through the NCRC Integrated Child Welfare Service Cyber Education Center (training site).
  ** Please refer to the attached guide: “How to Sign Up for the Introductory Training LMS and Apply for the Course.”
• 1 copy of the Resident Registration Certificate (1 copy per prospective adoptive parent if addresses differ)
• Family Relations Certificate: 1 copy per prospective adoptive parent
• Certificate of Entry/Exit Records: 1 copy per prospective adoptive parent
  * Inquiry period: within the past 5 years from the date of issuance of the application documents (e.g., Oct 1, 2020 – Oct 1, 2025).
  ** How to obtain: issuance online via Government24, or in person at an immigration office or an 읍/면/동 community service center.

What is the application processing procedure?

• Review of the application form and required documents (notification provided if supplements are needed or upon completion of receipt)
• Criminal records check and inquiry into the National Child Abuse Information System (notification provided if found ineligible)
• Notification to eligible applicants regarding the required basic training
• After confirmation of training completion, assignment of a designated agency for counseling and home study (investigation)
  * Prospective adoptive parents will be contacted individually at each step (via text message or phone call).
  ** Applications submitted through an adoption agency (applications submitted via adoption agencies): if the application and required documents are complete, they may be reviewed on a priority basis.

Notes

After completing the Adoption Application Form, the Consent Form for Criminal Records Check, and the Consent Form for Child Abuse Information Inquiry, a full legal name and handwritten signature are required in the signature section.

• The Family Relations Certificate, Resident Registration Certificate, and Certificate of Entry/Exit Records must be issued within one week of the mailing date (Resident Registration Number must be visible).
• If the prospective adoptive parents have different registered addresses, each must submit their own Resident Registration Certificate.
• If required documents are incomplete, you will be asked to supplement them; the date on which the supplemental documents are fully received will be treated as the date of receipt
• For families currently undergoing post-adoption services (for one year after adoption), a second home study for adoption may be conducted only after post-adoption services are completed.

Reference Attachments