Thailand Adoption

Our program in Thailand has been open since 1989 and we maintain a solid relationship with the Thai Red Cross in placing children in U.S. homes. Since then we have approval to place children form the Pattaya Orphanage and directly from Department of Social and Developmental Welfare (DSDW)

Children Available

The Thai children receive a great deal of attention and care. The children are generally in good health. The medical information received is fairly extensive and is reliable. Developmental milestones are described. Social information received on the background of the birthparents is given where available. The children range in ages from about one year to pre-teen. Waiting children are also available.

As in many programs, there are usually more boys available than girls in both infants (approximately 9 months to 18 months) to pre-school and school-aged children. You may state your preference, however, if you only wish to have a girl, you may have to wait longer. All children placed from Thailand are thoroughly tested for HIV and Hepatitis.

Length of Time : Slow

Thailand has been historically very slow. Our last placements have been made in about one and a half to two years.

Program Requirements

If you are entering the program for a health infant, you must be married, under the age of 40. Thailand strongly prefers families without children. Some exceptions can be made if there has been a previous adoption. If you are open to an older or waiting child, age restrictions are relaxed. In addition, DSDW will allow single females to adopt a waiting child. All applicants must be in good health and financially secure.

Travel Required

At least one parent must travel to Thailand and the stay is approximately one week to ten days. You must appear before the Thai Adoption Board where the placement is re-confirmed by them. The adoption is not legally finalized in Thailand, however, you are given legal custody of the child. Approximately six months after you arrive home and after New Beginnings has completed at least three post-placement reports, New Beginnings will recommend to Thailand that the adoption be finalized and they will send the appropriate approval to the Thai Embassy. Historically, this too can take a long time.

Is Thailand Right For You?

This program continues to be a good one for those with strong ties to Thailand and who are open to a little older child. People entering this program must be patient as the process moves along at its own pace.