Cambodian Adoption Program

Carolina Hope has a long-standing program for adoptions from Cambodia. Our Cambodian adoption program is run in cooperation with a single orphanage in Cambodia that meets our high expectations both for its humanitarian care of Cambodian orphans and for its ethical dealings in identifying and taking in orphans.

At present the U.S. government is not permitting U.S. citizens living in the United States to adopt from Cambodia. However, citizens of Denmark, Dubai (Dubayy), Austria, Italy, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago are permitted to initiate adoptions from Cambodia. Non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States with official diplomatic status may also be permitted to adopt a child from Cambodia. In rare cases American citizens residing abroad may adopt Cambodian children; certain restrictions apply.

The Cambodian children available through Carolina Hope are not photolisted. To see pictures of children in need of a home, please contact Carolina Hope. If you would like print materials about any of Carolina Hope’s adoption programs, you can send us a request using our online form.

What is Carolina Hope doing for Cambodian orphans?

Because of the current American limitations on Cambodia adoptions, Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency shows its commitment to helping Cambodian orphans by contributing funds to an orphanage just outside Phnom Penh, the orphanage from which Carolina Hope places orphans for international adoption.

Laura Godwin, Carolina Hope’s director, has visited the orphanage, and Asia Adoption Coordinator Josh Jensen was in Cambodia February 21 - June 1, 2006, and while there he visited the orphanage facilities, met the staff, and delivered donated supplies. Special thanks to the general dentistry office of Leslie and Erik Sprogis, DSS, PA, for the donation of dental supplies for the orphanage.

You can make a secure, online (tax-deductible) donation to the orphanage by going to our Cambodia Needs page.

Who can adopt from Cambodia?

At present the United States is not allowing adoptive families to initiate an adoption in Cambodia. Therefore, we are assigning children only to families who reside in countries that permit their citizens or residents to adopt from Cambodia. (See the U.S. Department of State’s notice concerning international adoption from Cambodia.)

Only families with 2 or fewer children (living at home) may adopt from Cambodia. For married couples, each adoptive parent must be between 25 and 55 years old. An unmarried woman must be between 40 and 50 years old.

How old are the Cambodian children available for adoption?

Infants and toddlers are available. To be available for adoption, a Cambodian orphan must be registered with an orphanage for three months; therefore, babies are at least four months old when placed with a family. Although infants are sometimes available, mostly toddlers are available through Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency’s Cambodia adoption program.

A child older than 8 years old cannot be adopted from Cambodia unless he or she is adopted along with a younger sibling.

Sibling groups (of no more than two children) can be adopted. Many more boys than girls are in need of adoption.

How long does the Cambodia adoption process take?

Once you are approved by your country of residence to adopt from Cambodia, your dossier is submitted to the Cambodian adoption authority. Before your paperwork is processed, you will travel to Cambodia to meet the child and make a final commitment. You can then either stay in Phnom Penh for a couple weeks until the adoption finalization, or you can return home and fly back finalization.

How is a Cambodian orphan assigned to me?

Digital pictures of the child and a medical report (including lab results) will be sent to you by Carolina Hope.

What are the advantages of adopting from Cambodia?

• The children available for adoption are well cared for - both physically and emotionally - in the Cambodian orphanage that Carolina Hope partners with to place children.
• The Cambodia adoption process moves very quickly: once your paperwork arrives in Cambodia, you can travel in about 3 - 4 weeks to receive your child.

Who must travel to Cambodia for the adoption?

Only one parent needs to travel to Cambodia. You fly to Phnom Penh and stay in a comfortable hotel for about 5 days. You will receive your child as soon as you arrive in Cambodia, but most families require about one week to complete the in-country paperwork.

The CDC’s Travelers’ Health Website contains a wealth of information on health issues pertaining to international travel, including information on destination countries, recommendations regarding immunizations, and Travel Notices.

How much does it cost to adopt from Cambodia?

The total Cambodia adoption fee is $11,580 for one child; this cost includes translation fees, the cost for mailing documents, and a $1000 donation in humanitarian aid. Fees are reduced for adopting more than one child.

This fee does not include the home study reports, fees and visas in your country of residence, travel to and from Cambodia, or your lodging, food, and city transportation.

If two parents travel and adopt one child, they can expect to spend about $3000 for travel and hotel expenses.

What is the process for a Cambodian adoption?

• Complete and mail in the application for Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency.
• Complete whatever international adoption requirements are placed on you by your country of residence.
• Gather documents for your dossier and submit them to Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency.
• A child is assigned to you. If you accept the referral, $1500 will be wired to Cambodia along with your acceptance.
• Your dossier is sent to Cambodia and $5000 is wired to Cambodia.
• Travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to meet the child referred to you and make a final commitment.
• Either return home and fly back in a couple weeks for the adoption finalization, or stay in Cambodia for a couple weeks as your paperwork is processed.
• Meet with the Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and complete the adoption in Cambodia.
• Go to the embassy of your country of residence so that your child can receive his or her visa.
• Bring your newly adopted son or daughter home from Cambodia!

Post-Placement Reporting

The Children’s Relief Center and the Cambodian government like to hear from adoptive families periodically. If you have adopted through Carolina Hope, you can use the linked post-placement form. (To download the form, right-click on the link and select “Save target as…” or “Save link as…”)

Please download the form, fill it out on your computer, and email it to us (our email address is at our contact page).

In addition, please email about five to ten recent photographs with descriptive filenames or descriptions in the body of the email. Thanks!

Can I get more information?

If you would like print materials about any of Carolina Hope’s adoption programs, you can send us a request using our online form. We would also be happy for you to call or email with questions. (Our phone number and email address are available at our Contact page.)