Since 1982, WACAP has placed children from Thailand with loving adoptive families throughout the United States. We work with the Thai government and a private child welfare agency. The children live in child-care institutions until a government committee approves their adoptions.

Babies and children in Thailand from 15 months to 15 years of age need adoptive families. You may specify whether you want to adopt a boy or a girl. When you're matched with a child, WACAP will give you a photo and all information provided to WACAP that you can study before deciding whether or not to adopt that child.

You're welcome to adopt children from Thailand if you've been married at least two years and are at least 25 years of age. You must be open to children up to 2 years of age at the time you receive your child match. If you seek to adopt an infant, the adoptive mother cannot be older than 39, and you must be able to provide a letter documenting infertility. There's a strong preference for families with no more than two children already in their home. Older couples may apply to adopt children who are already waiting for parents. Thailand authorities have advised WACAP that a family must have finalized the adoption of all previously placed children from Thailand before they can be matched with another child from Thailand.

You'll need to have a homestudy performed by a licensed adoption agency. WACAP conducts homestudies in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut and Alaska; in other states, we can give you the names of licensed agencies.

The United States is expected to ratify the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption in early 2008. Families adopting from Thailand must use a Hague-accredited or -supervised homestudy agency at that time. WACAP and our cooperating agencies will meet this requirement. However, if your family uses another homestudy agency, please confirm that it is accredited or supervised according to the Hague Convention.

Both parents must travel to Thailand to complete the adoption procedures. You'll travel 3 to 5 months after your child match is approved in Thailand. Be prepared to stay in Thailand for up to 10 days, although most families can complete the adoption process within seven days. About a year after you return to the United States, you'll need to go to a Kingdom of Thailand consulate in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York, or to the Thai embassy in Washington, D.C., to finalize the adoption under Thai law.

WACAP strongly encourages all adoptive parents to register with the U.S. Embassy in Thailand before they travel. Registration is free and simple; you can either register online or print out a registration form in PDF format and fax it the embassy.

After your dossier is submitted to Thailand, it takes 12 to 18 months to match you with a boy. The wait for a girl may be as long as three years. This period may be considerably shorter if you're adopting a child with medical needs, or one 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 Thailand 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.

Thinking about adopting a child from Thailand? Hundreds of children there need loving adoptive parents. us for more information. Or download an application form.

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 Thailand adoption FAQ for further details.

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