This article has been superseded and is no longer the law in force.

Superseded by RA 8552 (1998), RA 11642 (2022). The former text is shown below for reference only.

Family Code · Adoption

Article 184

Who may not adopt

Superseded

By RA 8552 (1998), RA 11642 (2022)

Former text, as of October 15, 2026

The following persons may not adopt:

(1) The guardian with respect to the ward prior to the approval of the final accounts rendered upon the termination of their guardianship relation;

(2) Any person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(3) An alien, except:

(a) A former Filipino citizen who seeks to adopt a relative by consanguinity;

(b) One who seeks to adopt the legitimate child of his or her Filipino spouse; or

(c) One who is married to a Filipino citizen and seeks to adopt jointly with his or her spouse a relative by consanguinity of the latter.

Aliens not included in the foregoing exceptions may adopt Filipino children in accordance with the rules on inter-country adoptions as may be provided by law. (28a, EO 91 and PD 603)

Adoption is now administrative

Adoption in the Philippines is now governed by Republic Act No. 11642 (2022), the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. Domestic adoption petitions are filed with and decided by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), not the courts. This article was first displaced by the Domestic Adoption Act (RA 8552, 1998), which RA 11642 later repealed. The Family Code text is shown for reference only.

Read RA 11642 →

Consolidated by Alleba from the text of Executive Order No. 209 (Lawphil), which already includes the changes made by Executive Order No. 227 (1987) before the Code took effect, and the amending Republic Acts in our library. Later amendments made by Presidential Decrees, Batas Pambansa or other executive orders are not included. For information and research only, and not legal advice. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.