Every Child Deserves a Loving Home

For over 70 years, Holt International has been the leader in ethical adoption, uniting children with loving, permanent families. Whether you’re just exploring or ready to begin, we’re here to guide your journey.

70+Years of Service

11Program Locations

50States Served

Where Would You Like to Start?

I’m Just ExploringLearn about adoption options and what to expect

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Explore LocationsSee children waiting in 11 locations worldwide

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I’m Ready to ApplyStart your application or log in to continue

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Why Choose Holt?

70+ Years of Ethical, Child-Centered Adoption

Child-First Philosophy

Before pursuing adoption, we always explore the possibility of helping a child remain or reunite with their birth family. When adoption is the best path, we strive to unite each child with the family best equipped to meet their unique needs.

Hague Accredited

As a Hague-accredited agency, we uphold the highest standards for ethical adoption practices and child protection. We work with families of all backgrounds, including families of diverse religions, ages and marital status.

Lifetime Support

We stand by adoptees and their families for their entire lives — providing quality care to children waiting to join families, as well as post-adoption resources, education and support to families and adult adoptees.

“We will always be grateful for Holt International and the work they did to bring us together as a forever family. Working with the Taiwan team was such a pleasure, and they treated us like family. We hope the desire to adopt is placed in the hearts of more families so they may be blessed with the same joys and rewards that our family has experienced.”

Julia and Kevin Breure, adopted Nora, at age 2, from Taiwan in 2023

Choose Your Path

International or U.S. Adoption?

Holt offers both international and U.S. adoption services. Explore the differences to find the right fit for your family.

International Adoption

11 programs worldwide

Adopt from Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mongolia, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam
Children range from toddlers to teenagers, with varying backgrounds and needs
Requirements and timelines vary by location and program
Travel to a child’s birth country is required as part of the adoption process
Work with a Hague-accredited agency committed to ethical adoption practices

Explore LOCATIONS

U.S. Adoption Services

Services in 13 states

Adopt through Holt’s licensed offices serving families in California, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
Homestudy services and post-adoption support at every stage
Adoption processes vary by state and family situation
Guidance and support for stepparent and relative adoptions
Work with a Hague-accredited agency committed to ethical adoption practices

Learn About U.S. Adoption

Bulgaria

Ages 2-15 • Europe

China

Relative Adoptions • Asia

Colombia

Ages 1-16 • South America

View Waiting Children Photolisting

Ready to Begin?

Start Your Adoption Journey Today

Whether you’re ready to apply or just want to learn more, we’re here to help. Our experienced adoption specialists are available to answer questions and guide you every step of the way.

Attend Info Meeting

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New to Holt?

Create a free account to start your adoption application. It takes less than 5 minutes.

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Returning Family?

Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Overview of Children Who Need Families by Location

Children may be older in age, part of a sibling group and/or have special medical, physical, developmental or emotional needs. Here is a quick overview. Visit each location program page and read Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption to learn more.

location	ages	special needs	siblings	current setting
Bulgaria	2–15	Varying degrees of physical or developmental needs and/or emotional needs related to trauma and loss	✔︎	Foster home or institutional settings
Colombia	1-16	Varying degrees of medical, developmental or psychological conditions	✔︎	Foster care or group homes
Hong Kong	1-15	Moderate to major medical or developmental special needs	Occasionally	Foster care or group homes
Mongolia	4-14	Varying degrees of medical, developmental or psychological conditions	✔︎	Institutional settings
Philippines	9-15	Minor special needs and/or a complex parental history	✔︎	Foster care or institutional settings
South Africa	2-15	Varying degrees of physical, developmental or emotional special needs	✔︎	Institutional settings
Taiwan	2-15	Developmental delays and/or a complicated birth family history	✔︎	Foster care
Thailand	2-15	Minor to moderate developmental or medical special needs	Occasionally	Foster care or institutional settings
Vietnam	5-10+	Minor to moderate medical, developmental or emotional special needs	✔︎	Institutional settings

Quick Overview of Parental Eligibility Requirements

View the chart below for a snapshot of eligibility requirements to adopt from each of Holt’s programs. Please visit each adoption location page for a full list of eligibility requirements and contact our adoption team at adopt@holtinternational.org or 1-888-355-4658 before applying! Some programs may have flexible requirements depending on the profile of child you are open to adopting.

location	Parent’s Age	Length of Marriage	Children in Family	Single Applicant
Bulgaria	• 25-49 for a child older than 12 months • 50-55 for a child 5 years or older	• One year at the time of homestudy approval • Two years if a history of divorce		• Single women and men • Single men will only be approved for boys 8 or older with moderate or significant special needs, 10 or older with lesser involved needs
Colombia	• 25 or older • Parents at least 15 years but no more than 45 years older than the child (50 if open to an older child or certain special needs) • Parents over 50 may adopt an older child or sibling group	• Two years of cohabitation • Cohabitating couples must be married or able to document legal equivalent — or one parent must qualify as a single applicant	• No regulation, but living space and financial stability carefully considered • Families adopting an older child may need a dedicated bedroom for the incoming child	• Single men and women can adopt children over 10, sibling groups or younger children with more involved needs • Cohabitating single applicants accepted case by case
Hong Kong	• At least 25 years at time of dossier submission • Maximum age 55, but exceptions are possible	• At least three years at time of dossier submission • If a history of multiple divorces, minimum length for current marriage is 5 years	• Youngest child must be at least 1 at time of application • No limit on # of children in the home • Larger families and out-of-birth-order placements carefully assessed	• Single women and men with sufficient childcare ability, parenting experience and strong support systems may apply • Must be at least 25 at time of dossier submission • Single applicants with children already will be carefully assessed
Mongolia	• Both parents 30-50 at time of application • Must be at least a 22-year age difference between the child and the youngest adoptive parent	• Couples must be married for at least five years at time of application	• Mongolia has no regulation on number of children already in the home	• Only single women may apply
Philippines	• At least 27, with no more than 45-year age difference between primary caregiver and child • Parents under 50 at time of dossier approval eligible for standard process • If one parent is 50+ at time of dossier submission, only eligible for the Special Home Finding (SHF) program or Special Needs Project (SNP) for older children and children with special needs	• At least three years at time of dossier submission • One year legal marriage, two of documented cohabitation, also OK	• Up to three children in home at time of application, youngest at least 1 at time of dossier submission • Families with 4+ children considered case by case if adopting from SHF program	• Single applicants accepted for SHF and SNP programs
South Africa	• 25-49 years old, with no more than 45-year age difference between parent and child	• Couples (married or committed partners) together for a minimum of one year and assessed to have a stable relationship	• If five or more children living in your home, please contact us before applying	• Single women and men
Taiwan	• 25-48 years old • Up to 55 if adopting an older child (age 7+, but possibly younger case by case)	• Three years at time of application • If previously divorced, current marriage must be five years at time of application	• If adopting young children with minor issues, no more than two children in home • If adopting waiting children, no more than five children • Youngest child at least a year old at time of application	• Accepted case by case for children on our waiting child photolisting • Not eligible to adopt sibling groups • No more than one divorce • See additional requirements
Thailand	• For the standard program, mother must be under 40 and father under 45 at time of application • Requirements may be flexible for waiting children	• At least two and a half years before applying	• For the standard program, a family may have up to one child already in their home • At least 2 years old at time of application	• Single applicants considered case by case for waiting children
Vietnam	• 25 or older • Parents 55+ considered on a case-by-case basis • Must be at least 20 years older than the child	• Couples must be married for at least one year before applying	• Up to four children already in home • Families with more than four children considered case by case	• Yes

How long does the adoption process take?

How much does adoption cost?

International adoption typically costs $30,000 to $60,000 depending on the location. This includes:

Agency fees and services
Homestudy and post-placement visits
Foreign country fees
Travel expenses
Legal and document fees

Financial assistance is available through the federal adoption tax credit, employer benefits, grants and loans.

Learn about financing options

Can single parents adopt?

Do I need to travel to adopt?

FREE VIRTUAL EVENT

Want to Learn More?

Attend an Adoption Information Session!

Join our adoption specialists to learn about each program, eligibility requirements and the adoption process — with no commitment required.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Worried About Cost?

Grants and Financial Coaching Available!

Explore grants, free finance coaching, tax credits, employer benefits and more. Financial barriers should never stand between a child and a loving family.

Explore Finance Resources →

Pre-Adoption Resources

International Adoption Waiting Child Photolisting Adoption Application International Relative Adoption U.S. Services Homestudy Services Financing Adoption Adoption Information Meetings

Parenting Resources

Parent Support & Coaching Educational Webinars Parenting Articles Special Needs Resources

Special Needs Adoption

Open Your Heart to a Child with Special Needs

Many children eligible for international adoption today have disabilities or medical conditions that require specialized care. These conditions are often less significant than families initially expect, and many improve dramatically with proper care and a loving home.

Cleft Lip & Palate

Down Syndrome

Heart Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Vision & Hearing Impairment

Developmental Delays

And More

Learn About Special Needs

Adoption