LEGAL CONSULTATION

ADOPTION OF AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD

18 APRIL 2021
 ISSUES:

1. Can an illegitimate child be adopted?

2. Pre-adoption requirements in case of adoption of an illegitimate
child.
3. Process of adoption and timeline.
4. Cost of Adoption
4. Effects of adoption.
Can an illegitimate child be adopted?

YES
Pre-adoption requirements in case of
adoption of an illegitimate child
1. Qualifications of the adopter/s
 2. Written Consent Required

1. Biological Parents
2. The spouse, if any, of the person adopting or to be adopted
3. The adoptee, if ten (10) years of age or over
4. The legitimate and adopted sons/daughters, ten (10) years of age
or over, of the adopter(s) and adoptee, if any
5. 5. The illegitimate sons/daughters, ten (10) years of age or over, of
the adopter if living with said adopter and the latter's spouse, if any
 Process of Adoption and Timeline
1. Filing of Petition for Adoption
2. Publication of the order of hearing (once a week for 3 successive weeks)
3. Issuance of Decree of Adoption and Entry of Judgement
4. Processing of Amended Birth Certificate in the Civil Registry
 Cost of Adoption
 Filing Fee (Estimated) PhP2,000
 Sheriffs’ Trust Fund (Estimated) PhP 1,000
 Legal Fees (varies per law firm/lawyer’s rate)
 Acceptance Fee PhP65,000 to PhP 150,000
 Pleading Fees PhP6,000 to PhP 10,000
 Appearance Fees PhP6,000 to PhP 10,000
 Out-of-Pocket Expenses varies but fully receipted
 Publication Cost PhP9,000-20,000 each
 Effects of adoption
1. Adopted children will have the rights of legitimate children, including
inheritance rights.
2. The adoptive parents will have full parental authority over the child.