Korean program through Social Welfare Society is AIAA's oldest placement program. More than 3,000 families have adopted Korean child dating back to 1975.

CHILDREN BEING REFERRED:
 

Infants generally relinquished at birth by single birth mothers. Children with special needs may be toddlers. Must be open to infant up to 16 months at time of referral. Infants up to12 months and toddlers with special needs wait for families.  Individual foster care is provided

Korean Government has established “quotas” for number of children being adopted internationally. Numbers reduced by 10% yearly to phase out international adoptions. Infants eligible for domestic adoption for 5 months. More children 12 months+ at time of arrival. Families requesting female wait longer time for referral. 

All applicants must be ACCEPTING of mild alcohol consumption and smoking by the birth mother during pregnancy.
 

PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Couples married minimum of 3 years;
    

2. Twenty-five to 43 with no more than 8 years  difference;
    

3. Without children or no more than 4. Korean child youngest by least 2 years. Exceptions considered for children with special needs;
    

4. Minimum of high school education;
    

5. Good physical and mental health. See KOREAN BMI WEIGHT CHART. No medication for anxiety or depression. Other medical conditions for all family members on case-by-case basis;
    

6. At least one parent escorts baby home;
    

7. Three post placement supervision reports in 6 months;
    

8. Provide AIAA with copy of final adoption decree to be forwarded to Korean agency to close Korean adoption file.
    

See “ADDITIONAL AIAA’S GENERAL REQUIREMENTS” on web site.

PROCESS:

See “GETTING STARTED WITH AIAA” on web site. For applicants living in Michigan, AIAA will complete home study and post placement supervision.

Child referral information includes social/medical history of birth parents, if available, child’s medical and developmental information, and pictures.

Korean agency appointed guardian of child following relinquishment from birth parent(s). Guardianship is transferred to AIAA. Michigan families will be assisted by AIAA to petition local county court for preadoption hearing before child travels. Child remains ward of local court until finalization of adoption.
 
Children travel 3-4 months following acceptance of referral. At least 1 parent travels to Korea to escort child.

Children receive automatic citizenship following finalization of adoption in US. However, parents must apply for Certificate of Citizenship.

FEE SCHEDULE (As of January 1, 2012):
 

Reductions in overseas fees may be considered by Korean agency on case-by-case basis for children with significant special needs.

* This includes fee of $500.00 for Korean Social Worker’s services when family travels.

PLEASE NOTE: Does not include home study or post placement supervision fees.

For further information regarding Korean Program or to inquire about children with special needs, please call office and ask for Korean Program Administrator, Tammy Lydick, or email her at tammy@aiaaadopt.org.

We look forward to working with you for a child from Korea.