In Thailand, children are typically 2-4 years old at time of placement. Gladney partners with two childcare organizations within Thailand: Thai Red Cross Children’s Home (TRC) and Pattaya Orphanage. The children receive excellent medical care but need a loving, permanent family to give them the individual love and attention they deserve. Many of these children may be medically healthy or have medical needs that have been treated, resolved, or well-managed. Some may have mild developmental delays in areas such as speech or motor skills. There are also waiting children ranging in ages from 2-10 who are older, and/or who have more moderate medical conditions.

Adopting from Thailand

Hopeful adoptive parents looking to welcome a child from Thailand are needed, especially those open to adopting children with special needs, older children, or sibling groups. All adoptive parents must meet Thailand’s criteria for adoption to be considered for a match. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, contact an adoption specialist who can help determine the right fit for your family and answer your questions. Gladney’s Thailand Team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

Step 1: Check your program eligibility by submitting the Prospective Adoptive Parent Form

Step 2: Ready to move forward? Complete the Placement Application to officially begin

Hopeful adoptive parents are required to complete a foreign dossier and complete pre-adoptive training as assigned by Gladney.

Thailand Adoption Program

Thailand is a stable and well-established adoption program. We receive a quota for the number of families’ applications that can be submitted each year for younger children with generally mild needs. Quota spots are assigned to families when they have a completed dossier ready for submission to Thailand.

Adoption Criteria

Adoption criteria are based on the requirements of the care home and country and may change over time. To ensure you meet the criteria, it’s best to contact an adoption specialist to discuss your specific situation and start making an adoption plan. Exceptions are made for waiting children.

• Marital Status: Married couples (legally married for at least two years, no more than one divorce per parent) are eligible. Single parents are not considered, except for certain waiting children.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 25 years old. Mothers must be under 40 and fathers under 45 when the Thai adoption board is reviewing the dossier. Parental age requirements may be more flexible when adopting a waiting child.
• Background: A stable family environment and strong relationship history are considered. Families must be financially stable and able to provide for the needs of a child. Arrest history must be pre-screened
• Family size: Families with documented infertility are given priority. No more than one child may currently in the home.
• Health: Families must be mentally and physically fit to parent. BMI should be under 35. Medical or mental health history must be pre-screened.
• Education: High school degree or above.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Parents should be open to and respectful of the child’s cultural background and heritage.
• Training: All hopeful adoptive parents pursuing adoption in Thailand are required to complete pre-adoptive training.

Adoption Process

1. INITIAL CONTACT AND APPLICATION

Before submitting your official application, contact a Gladney adoption specialist to discuss whether the Thailand adoption program is a good fit for your family. Gladney is currently seeking families who are willing to be flexible and patient as they navigate the adoption process together.

2. CASEWORKER ASSIGNMENT AND NEW CLIENT PACKET

Once your application documents and fee are submitted, you will be assigned a caseworker. This person will serve as your primary contact throughout the adoption process, answering questions and providing support. You’ll also receive a New Client packet that includes step-by-step instructions for the adoption process, information on the home study, pre-adoption training requirements, guidance on the US immigration application, and instructions for preparing your dossier.

3. COMPLETE PRE-ADOPTIVE TRAINING

Training and preparation are absolutely essential for a successful adoption, and at Gladney, we’re proud to offer some of the most comprehensive and meaningful training opportunities available. As part of your adoption process, you’ll complete both pre-adoptive training, child specific training, and participate in Gladney’s exclusive Pathways training held at our Fort Worth campus.

These trainings are a true benefit—an investment in your family’s long-term success. They deepen your understanding of the adoption journey and the unique needs of children, while equipping you with the skills and confidence to provide a safe, nurturing, and stable home. Our approach is trauma-informed and child-centered, ensuring you receive the very best preparation possible. We take great pride in empowering our prospective adoptive parents with the tools they need to thrive as they welcome a child into their lives.

4. Home Study

If you live in a Gladney-licensed state, your adoption specialist will assign a home study worker to your case. The home study department will then contact you directly to schedule appointments. Gladney home studies service hopeful adoptive parents in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. If you live in one of these listed states and are ready to start your home study, fill out our home study form here.

If you do not live in a Gladney-licensed state, you will need to choose a home study provider who meets Gladney’s criteria. Check with your adoption specialist to ensure your home study will be eligible for the adoption process.

5. Pursuing a Waiting Child

Before submitting an application to adopt a specific waiting child, families should engage in research and preparation. Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the child’s special needs condition(s) and appropriate support groups.

You’ll also work to obtain detailed information from medical professionals about the child’s conditions. Identify specialists who can provide treatment or consultation.

6. Preparing Your Dossier

When preparing your dossier, it’s essential to research relevant special needs. Find doctors and/or specialists who can quickly provide their opinions on the child’s referral file. Consider working with international adoption medical clinics for evaluations.

7. Dossier Submission

The dossier to be submitted to Thailand must include the necessary documentation, all of which must be notarized or certified:

8. Adoption Travel

Families can travel to Thailand once they have completed the Hague process and received Article 5, along with a confirmed appointment with the Child Adoption Board (CAB).

Both parents must travel to Thailand to meet the child. Children will enter the US on an IH-4 VISA, with adoptions finalized in your local family court system.

The stay in Thailand typically ranges from 10 to 14 days, primarily in Bangkok for families adopting from the Thai Red Cross Children’s Home (TRC), and split between Pattaya and Bangkok for those families adopting from Pattaya Orphanage. Many families find this trip to be a culturally rich and rewarding experience.

Post-Placement Reports

Post-placement reports are essential for demonstrating compliance with agency and country requirements, ensuring the child’s well-being, and maintaining transparency in the adoption process. Post-placement reports are mandatory in order to finalize the adoption in the US.

What Are Post-Placement Reports?

Post-placement reports are updates completed by your home study social worker to ensure the adopted child is thriving. These reports include:

When Are Post-Placement Reports Due?

For adoptions from Thailand, reports should be submitted at the following intervals:

• 1 month
• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months

Submission Guidelines

Post-placement reports are mandatory before finalizing the adoption. Reports inform Thailand’s adoption authority about the child’s progress.

Common Questions

1. What is the age range of children eligible for adoption from Thailand?

Children eligible for adoption from Thailand are generally aged 1 to 10 years old, though older children are also occasionally available.

2. What types of needs do the children from Thailand typically have?

Many children have mild medical, health, socio-emotional, or developmental issues, and some may come from difficult backgrounds or have risk factors.

3. How does Gladney work with children in Thailand?

Gladney partners with two children’s homes in Thailand: The Thai Red Cross (TRC) and Pattaya Orphanage. Both orphanages provide a high level of care to the children.

4. What are the eligibility criteria for adopting from Thailand?

Adoptive parents must be legally married couples (with a minimum of two years of marriage) and meet specific age and health requirements. Single parents may be considered in certain situations.

5. What is the first step in the adoption process for families interested in Thailand?

Families should begin the adoption process with an initial consultation with a Gladney adoption specialist to determine if the Thailand adoption program is a good fit for them.

6. What training is required to adopt from Thailand?

At Gladney, training is a key part of preparing families for a successful adoption. All prospective parents complete pre-adoptive training that covers the adoption process, common needs of children, and practical parenting tools. You’ll also participate in Gladney’s Pathways training — our in-person, trauma-informed program held at the Fort Worth campus — which offers deeper guidance and preparation.

These trainings, as well as child specific training, ensure you are well-equipped, supported, and ready to provide a safe, nurturing home for the child you will welcome.

7. What documents are required to prepare a dossier for adoption in Thailand?

The dossier must include various notarized documents, such as the Home Study report, birth and marriage certificates, medical letters, police clearance statements, and a Letter of Intent.

8. How long do families typically stay in Thailand during the adoption process?

Families generally stay in Thailand for about 10 to 14 days, primarily in Bangkok, to meet their child and complete the adoption process.

9. How does the adoption process in Thailand comply with international law?

Adoption between the United States and Thailand is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention, ensuring that all adoptions meet the requirements set by the convention and US law.

10. What visa will children entering the US from Thailand receive?

Children adopted from Thailand will enter the US on an IH-4 visa, and the adoption is finalized through the local family court system in the US.

11. What are post-placement reports, and when are they due?

Post-placement reports are updates on the child’s well-being, submitted by the home study social worker. They are due at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after the adoption.

12. What is required to finalize an adoption in the US?

After meeting the post-placement reporting requirements, families must finalize the adoption in their local court, and provide the final adoption decree, US birth certificate, and US Certificate of Citizenship to the adoption agency.

Post-Adoption Services

Gladney’s post-adoption support is built on a “family for life” philosophy, recognizing that adoption is a lifelong journey and providing ongoing care well beyond placement. Their services include education and training for adoptive parents, access to nationwide support groups, and clinical counseling (in-person, virtual, and in-home) to address adoption-related challenges. They also offer specialized support for birth parents and adoptees, including lifelong counseling resources, support groups, and assistance with records, registries, and maintaining connections when desired. Many of these comprehensive services are provided at little or no cost, ensuring that every member of the adoption triad has access to resources, guidance, and community throughout all stages of life.