The legal process of adoption in Malaysia

Once you have decided to adopt, you will find that the Malaysian process is quite straight forward. You need to be married and be a resident at the time of adoption (a resident does include people here on work visas). If you are single you can adopt a child of the same gender as yourself. It is important to speak to a lawyer before you adopt so you can make sure you meet the Malaysian requirements for adoption.

• Once you have identified a child, the birth mother will sign an affidavit giving you legal guardianship and will get the child’s birth certificate
• Once you have the birth certificate and the affidavit is signed your lawyer will petition the court.
• Your first court case will usually be about 1-3 months after your petition is submitted. In this court case you will attend with your husband and baby and this is basically just letting the court know you wish to adopt this child. (The Judge can ask at this stage to speak with the birth mother).
• At your first court case you will allocated a social worker who will visit your home before the second court case.
• The social worker visit itself is generally about 1-2 hours and during this visit the social worker will discuss your and your husband’s backgrounds, education levels, income etc. They will also have a brief look around your house. After this they will submit a report to the court.
• Your second and final court case will take place up to 3 months after your first. In this court case the judge will review the social worker report and then complete the adoption. (If the Judge has requested the birth mother to attend, he will question her to make sure she has consented to the adoption)
• After the final court case you will receive your official adoption documentation and the new birth certificate. This normally takes  around 6-8 weeks
• After you have this documentation you can get a Malaysian passport or proceed with the citizenship procedure for your home country.
• Generally adoptions will take around 8 months to fully complete the Malaysian component.

If you are adopting as an expat you must consulate with your home embassy to make sure you meet any requirements they have before you adopt. All countries have different guidelines and requirements when it comes to international adoption. Failure to meet your home countries guidelines could compromise your ability to gain citizenship for your adopted child.

Where to adopt from?

As there are no adoption agencies in Malaysia, it is up to the individual to find a child who is being placed for adoption on your own. In my experience the best way to do this is through word of mouth, that is, letting friends and family know you are looking to adopt. Secondly, you can ring women’s shelters, adoption lawyers, local churches, your doctor and any other organization that deals with adoption. I have listed below a few lawyers, shelters and other organizations they may be a good starting point in helping you with your adoption.

Lawyers

Ms Ong

Ong Teong Ling & Co

No.21-B, Lorong 8/1D, Petaling Jaya, 46050,

03-7958 5652 ‎

Krishnasamy Rehvathi

The Soon Kee & Partners

Email: krehvathi@yahoo.com

+60173834620

Women’s shelters and other organizations

BIRTHRIGHT

c/o Grace Community Service, 81E, 4th floor, Sri Bunus, Medan Bunus,

Off Jalan Masjid India, 50100, KL

Tel: 03-2694 2423

Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepard

Shelter for Women and Children Seremban

Jalan Hulu Kelang, 68000 Ampang

Tel: 03-4256 3852/3941

Shelter 340/1833 Taman Bukit Kaya, Jalan Sungei Ujong, 70200 Seremban, N. Sembilan

Tel: 06-763 1771; Fax: 06-762 2593

Email: shelter@po.jaring.my

TI-RATANA Welfare Society

Lot 16106, Jalan 13 B, Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling),

57100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel : 03-79881818; Fax : 03-79881888

Email : admin@ti-ratana.org.my

Website: http://www.ti-ratana.org.my

Women’s Aid Organisation

P.O. Box 493 Jalan Sultan, 46760 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan

Email: wao@po.jaring.my

Tel: 03-7957 5636 (WAO Centre), 03-7956 3488 (Counselling), 03-7960 3030 (Counselling)

Women & Health Association KL (WAKE KL)

7th Floor, Wisma Kraftangan, Jalan Tun Perak

Email: wakekl@tm.net.my

Tel: 03-26926861

Women Shelter Home

Lot 16106, Jalan 13B, Salak Selatan Baru (Lebuhraya KL-Seremban),

57100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-79881818

Rose Virginie Good Shepherd Centre

P O Box 60

Taman Ipoh

31407 Ipoh

Perak

Tel / Fax : 05 – 546 7031

email : rvgsc@pkgs.org.my

 

OrphanCARE Malaysia

No.6 Lorong SS 1/24a, Kampung Tunku, 47300,

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

03 78761900

Email: admin@orphancare.org.my

ibu Family Resource Group
Ibu has an adoption support and playgroup for families looking to adopt and for those who have adopted children for more information visit their website: http://www.ibufamily.org/

Department of Social Welfare
Level 6, 9 – 18,
No 55, Persiaran Perdana,
Presint 4,
62100 Putrajaya

03 8323 2045

+603-8323 1000 FAX
email: adminjkm@jkm.gov.my