NCRC
Introduction the the NCRC
The National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) was established to oversee the implementation of child welfare policies, including the protection of children's rights and adoption-related services. It was created through revisions to the Child Welfare Act (Article 10-2), becoming a centralized body responsible for various child welfare initiatives in South Korea. Previously known as Korea Adoption Services, the NCRC is a government agency under the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea.
Main Functions of the NCRC
The NCRC is tasked with several key responsibilities in the realm of adoption and child welfare:
- Enacting and amending adoption laws.
- Preparing for the ratification of the Hague Adoption Convention.
- Developing an Adoption Procedure Manual to guide the adoption process.
- Supporting the Adoption Matching Committee, which ensures appropriate matching between children and adoptive parents.
- Educating prospective adoptive parents on the adoption process and the responsibilities of parenthood.
- Raising public awareness on adoption and fostering a positive perception of adoption in society.
Post-Adoption Services
Within the NCRC, the Post-Adoption Service Team provides comprehensive post-adoption services, including:
- Adoption information disclosure to help adoptees in their search for birth parents.
- Permanent preservation of adoption-related records.
- Operating an integrated adoption management system that streamlines the management and accessibility of adoption records.
- Facilitating both domestic and overseas post-adoption services, ensuring support for adoptees no matter where they reside.
Adoption Information Disclosure
The NCRC handles the Adoption Information Disclosure Process, which allows adoptees to access key details about their birth families. The information disclosure process is governed by the Act on Special Cases Concerning Adoption, which ensures adoptees have the right to know their origins. The process is designed to assist with birth family searches and strengthen adoptees’ self-identity.
What Information Can Be Disclosed?
- Adoption background information (e.g., reasons for relinquishment, adoption dates)
- The adoption agency or facility where the adoptee stayed prior to adoption.
- Birth parents’ details at the time of adoption such as age and place of residence. Names and other contact information may be provided only if consent is given by the birth parents.
How to Request Adoption Information
- Submit a Disclosure Request:
- Until July 15, 2025, you can email your Adoption Agency to submit the request.
- After July 15, 2025, you must apply through the Korea Adoption Services website kadoption.or.kr by filling out an Adoption Information Disclosure Request Form. [Video Assistance]
- Include a copy of your ID (e.g., passport or resident registration card).
- Search for Birth Parents:
- Once your request is submitted, the NCRC searches for birth parents using the Public Information Sharing System and works with local authorities.
- Consent and Information Release:
- If the birth parents are found, the NCRC will seek their consent to release information. If consent is given, the adoptee may receive detailed information about their birth parents and potentially facilitate a reunion.
- If consent is not granted, it is suggested to wait 1 year before reaching out again. Alternative search methods can be discussed with G.O.A.'L.
- If Birth Parents Cannot Be Found:
- Other options include DNA submission through Korea's National Police Agency, Active Search with G.O.A.'L., Hope Registry registration with Adoptee Hub
NCRC Family Search FAQ
Enactments and Amendments of the Adoption Act
The amendments will go into effect on July 19, 2025.
The Adoption Act in South Korea has undergone several important amendments and enactments, aimed at strengthening child protection, enhancing adoption processes, and aligning with international standards. Below are the key points regarding the latest developments:
Key Amendments Passed (June 30, 2023)
The following legislative updates were passed during the National Assembly Plenary Session on June 30, 2023:
- Proposed Amendment of the Special Act on Domestic Adoption: Focuses on improving domestic adoption procedures and ensuring better safeguards for children adopted within South Korea.
- Proposed Legislation of the Act on Intercountry Adoption: Introduces stricter regulations and guidelines for intercountry adoptions, aligning with international standards and the best interest of the child.
- Proposed Amendment of the Child Welfare Act: Enhances child protection policies and strengthens the legal framework around the welfare and rights of children.
Strengthened Responsibilities Under the Amendments
The amendments introduce heightened accountability and management across the adoption process:
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National and Local Government Responsibility:The national government, along with local authorities, has increased responsibility for managing, supervising, and overseeing all stages of child adoption.
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Preference for Domestic Adoption: Intercountry adoptions are now restricted to cases where it is determined to be in the best interest of the child and when no suitable domestic adoptive parents can be found.
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Alignment with Hague Convention: The process for intercountry adoption is now fully aligned with the procedures of the Hague Adoption Convention, a global standard that protects children, birth parents, and adoptive parents during the adoption process. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is designated as the central authorityoverseeing these international procedures.
Impact for International Adoptees
- Management of Adoption Records: All tasks related to the management and disclosure of adoption records have been centralized under the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and private adoption agencies will no longer be involved. This ensures that records are preserved permanently and are accessible to adoptees when necessary. Therefore private adoption agencies will have much less involvement in family search and reunion moving forward.
- Expansion of DNA Matching: The scope of DNA matching services has been expanded. Now, not only biological parents but also biological siblings can be included in the search process to help adoptees locate their family members.