In the Philippines, adoption is traditionally viewed through the lens of providing a home for orphaned or abandoned children. However, the law also recognizes the formalization of "de facto" parent-child relationships that have existed since a person’s youth. With the enactment of Republic Act No. 11642, otherwise known as the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, the process has undergone a radical shift from a judicial proceeding to a swifter, administrative one.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the legalities, requirements, and procedures for a single individual wishing to adopt an adult in the Philippine context.

1. The Legal Basis: R.A. No. 11642

Before 2022, adoption was a rigorous court process governed by R.A. 8552. Today, R.A. 11642 has centralized all domestic adoption cases under the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This law streamlines the process, making it administrative in nature, which significantly reduces the time and legal expenses involved.

2. Can a Single Person Adopt an Adult?

Yes. Philippine law does not discriminate based on civil status. A single person—whether never married, widowed, or legally separated—is fully eligible to petition for adoption, provided they meet the qualifications set by the law.

3. Who Can Be Adopted as an Adult?

Under Section 4 of R.A. 11642, an adult may be adopted only under a specific circumstance:

The person to be adopted must have been consistently considered and treated by the adopter as their own child since minority.

This means you cannot simply adopt a random adult for convenience or immigration purposes. There must be a pre-existing, long-standing relationship where the adopter acted as the parental figure during the adoptee's formative years.

4. Qualifications of the Single Adopter

To qualify as an adopter, a single individual must be:

A Filipino Citizen: Or a resident alien who has lived in the Philippines for at least three continuous years prior to the filing (with certain exceptions).
Of Legal Age: At least 18 years old.
Age Gap: The adopter must be at least sixteen (16) years older than the adoptee.
Of Good Moral Character: The petitioner must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Capable of Support: Must demonstrate the financial and emotional capacity to care for the adoptee (though this is interpreted differently in adult adoptions where the adoptee is already self-sufficient).

5. Necessary Consents

Consent is the bedrock of a valid adoption. For an adult adoption, the following written consents are mandatory:

The Adoptee: Since the person is an adult (18+), their formal consent is required.
The Adopter’s Spouse: (Not applicable for single persons).
The Adoptee’s Spouse: If the adult to be adopted is married.
The Adoptee’s Legitimate/Adopted Children: If the adult to be adopted has children of their own who are 10 years of age or older.

Note: In adult adoption, the consent of the biological parents of the adoptee is generally no longer required, as the adoptee has reached full legal capacity.

6. The Administrative Procedure

Since the process is now administrative, the petitioner does not need to file a case in the Regional Trial Court.

Petition Filing: The single adopter files a Petition for Administrative Adoption with the Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO) where the adopter resides.
Documentation: Key documents include Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates (if applicable), NBI/Police clearances, and affidavits from witnesses attesting that the adoptee was treated as a child since minority.
Home Study Report: A social worker will conduct an assessment of the adopter and the history of the relationship.
Review by the NACC: The Executive Director of the NACC reviews the recommendation from the RACCO.
Order of Adoption: If satisfied, the NACC issues an Order of Adoption, which carries the same legal weight as a court decree.

7. Legal Effects of the Adoption

Once the Order of Adoption is issued and registered with the Civil Registrar:

Legitimacy: The adoptee acquires the legal status of a legitimate child of the adopter for all intents and purposes.
Name Change: The adoptee’s surname is changed to that of the adopter (unless the petition specifically requests otherwise and it is approved).
Succession and Inheritance: The adopter and adoptee acquire reciprocal rights of succession. The adoptee becomes a compulsory heir of the adopter, and vice versa.
Severance of Ties: All legal ties between the adoptee and their biological parents are severed, except for the "prohibited degrees of marriage" (e.g., the adoptee still cannot marry a biological sibling).

8. Key Considerations for the Petitioner

While the process is now "administrative," it is not "automatic." The NACC remains vigilant against "adoptions of convenience"—cases where the primary goal is to bypass labor laws, secure visas, or manipulate inheritance without a genuine history of a parent-child relationship. Evidence of the "de facto" relationship during the adoptee's minority is the most critical element of the petition.