Post-Adoption Resources for Korean Adoptees and Families
We stand committed to assisting Korean adoptees and families as they seek answers.
In light of the recent media coverage addressing Korean adoptions, we at Holt International want to acknowledge the many emotions that adoptees and adoptive families may be feeling — whether it’s frustration, anger, confusion, pain or grief. We hear you. We see you. And as many of us are also adoptees or adoptive parents, we are feeling these emotions as well.
We understand that these issues are complex, nuanced and bring about a lot of confusion. We have long advocated for adoptee voices and experiences to be elevated in the adoption community. And we stand committed to ensuring that adoptees’ perspectives are not only heard but validated. We at Holt also remain committed to assisting Korean adoptees and adoptive parents with their questions.
Here’s how we are helping:
- Holt staff responds promptly to individual, personal inquiries to listen to concerns and help answer questions.
- Holt does not charge fees for adoptees to access their adoption records.
- We continue to consult with adult adoptees representing Holt’s board of directors, staff and the broader community to ensure adoptee perspectives are prioritized in Holt’s policies and procedures.
- We are working to inform and educate the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) to better understand providing services relevant and responsive to adoptees.
- We will meet regularly with the NCRC to conduct advocacy and provide support to ensure that staff are educated, prepared and committed to providing post-adoption services. Read FAQs about the transition of post-adoption services to the NCRC in Korea.
Resources for Adoptees
Our post-adoption services team stands committed to serving all those whose lives have been touched by adoption. We recognize that relinquishment and adoption have lifelong effects. Our team seeks to better understand and address the unique and varied needs of the people we serve. If you are a birth parent, an adoptive parent, an adoptee or someone else affected by adoption, this is the place for you.
Additional Resources for Non-Korean Adoptees
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to frequently asked questions we’ve received from adoptive parents and adoptees regarding changes to post-adoption services in Korea happening in July 2025. Please contact our post-adoption services team at pas@holtinternational.org if you have additional questions.
| Can an adoptive parent request a birth search on behalf of their minor child? | Adoptive parents cannot request a birth search on behalf of their child. In Korea, the legal age to request a birth search is 19. The adoptee must be the one to initiate a search. |
| Can an adoptive parent request a copy of their minor child’s Korean file? | Yes, an adoptive parent can request a copy of their minor child’s Korean file. However, we strongly recommend adoptees initiate the request for their own file once they reach adulthood (if they choose to). |
| Will my adoption records be lost or destroyed when services/files are transitioned to the National Center for the Rights of Children (NCRC) in July 2025? | We want to reassure adoptees and adoptive parents who are concerned about their file being lost or destroyed after the July 2025 transfer. The NCRC is a governmental institution and will permanently preserve all records that it receives. Records will be securely maintained. |
| After July 2025, will I still be able to request my adoption file and/or request a birth search in Korea? | On July 19, 2025, the NCRC will assume responsibility for all adoption-related services, including post-adoption services in Korea. Through the NCRC, you will still be able to request your file, request a birth search and request other post-adoption related services.* Through Holt, you may still request a copy of your U.S. file at any time! *Please note: We have been informed that the NCRC will temporarily pause accepting new requests — including file access, birth family searches, and other post-adoption services — from June 16, 2025 through approximately September 15, 2025, as they prepare for and adapt to this transition. During this time, no new requests for adoptee information will be processed. |
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Post Adoption Services team at pas@holtinternational.org.
Did you know our team provides support to all Holt adoptees?
Every adoptee has a unique and complex life experience. Our team strives to support all Holt adoptees, by providing help with birth search, citizenship and more.