Since 1979, WACAP has worked directly with Holt Children's Services in Seoul, Korea, a social service agency licensed by the South Korean government. WACAP places Korean children with families in Washington, Alaska, Utah, Idaho and North Carolina. We may place children with medical concerns in other states on a case-by-case basis.

Most Korean children who need families are infants whose birth parent(s) chose an adoption plan at the time the child was born. As part of that adoption plan, adoptive families will exchange non-identifying letters and photos with birth parent(s) after placement for five years or as the birth parent(s) request. Additionally, if birth parent(s) request to meet adoptive parents at the time of placement, at least one parent will be expected to travel to Seoul to meet the birth parent(s).

Korean authorities describe these infants as healthy, and they usually reside in foster care while awaiting adoptive placement. Korean adoption law requires that children first be referred for domestic adoption inside Korea. After five months they can be referred for international adoption. So a child referred to WACAP will be at least 5 months old. Children with identified medical needs are exempt from the five-month waiting period. Typically, children will be matched under the age of 12 months. There's also an ongoing need for families for infants with known medical concerns.

When you're matched with a child, WACAP will give you photos and all information provided to WACAP that you can study before deciding whether or not to adopt that child. Families who apply to WACAP after May 1, 2002, will be matched with a child according the child’s best interests, and families may not specify the child's gender. There are only two exceptions:

You may adopt a child from Korea if

There must be a 12-month age difference between the youngest child in your family and the child you're adopting. Exceptions are sometimes made for couples who want to adopt children who are already waiting for parents. Both parents must be under 45 when the child is placed.

You need to have a homestudy performed by a licensed adoption agency. If you live in Washington or Alaska, you must have WACAP conduct your homestudy. In Utah and Idaho, we can give you the names of several licensed agencies. Families in North Carolina must have their homestudy assessment and postplacement supervision provided through only one agency, Catholic Charities in Raleigh. This requirement is based on WACAP's agreement with Holt Children's Services and with the Korean government. There are no exceptions to this policy. For more information, contact

Sally Umdenstock
Catholic Charities
3000 Highwoods Blvd., Suite 128
Leatherwood Building
Raleigh, NC 27604
919-790-8533

You may choose to travel to Korea to bring your child home, or you may request to have your child escorted to Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, California, or Raleigh, North Carolina.

If you choose to travel to Korea, WACAP strongly encourages you to register with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul beforehand. Registration is free and simple; just use this online form from the embassy's Web site.

After your homestudy is approved, it takes 16 to 21 months to match you with a boy. The wait for a girl is longer. Your child will be ready to travel home approximately three to six months later. This period may be shorter if you're adopting a child who's already waiting for parents.

Are finances a barrier to adoption? U.S. families may receive a tax credit of up to $11,650 when they adopt a child. Find out about this and other sources of financial assistance.

WACAP’s Family Finders program seeks parents for children in Korea who have already been referred to us. When you adopt through Family Finders, the waiting period is often shorter, and you may be eligible for a fee reduction and loan.

Family Finders can place Korean children only in the following states:

Thinking about adopting a child from Korea? Hundreds of children there need loving adoptive parents. usfor more information. Or download an application form. (You will need Adobe Reader to download the application. Please click on the link below to download this free software from Adobe.)

Every adoption is different. During the adoption process, you may be asked to supply more documents, comply with new policies or meet other requirements. Our staff will always do their best to keep you informed. See our Korea adoption FAQ for further details.

Check our news page for the latest update on adoption from Korea.