What is the NCRC? 

• The National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) is a public institution which oversees inter-country adoption, domestic adoption and all child welfare related matters. It is supervised by the South Korean government’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). See more here: National Center for the Rights of the Child 

What is the file transfer? 

• In accordance with South Korea’s compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 8), as of July 19, 2025, Korean adoptions, both domestic and international, will be under the supervision of the MOHW instead of the four private adoption agencies: Holt Korea (HAP), Eastern Social Welfare Society (ESWS), Korean Social Service (KSS) and Korea Welfare Society (KWS, formerly SWS/CPS). Because of this change, the physical adoption files are being transferred to a location that will be under the jurisdiction of the NCRC. 

How do I request a digital copy of my file?

• Instead of contacting your adoption agency for your adoption file, adoptees will need to submit an Adoption Information Disclosure request via the NCRC’s website. You can request a copy of your file from NCRC by creating an account and submitting a request via their website. This can only be done until June 15th. 
• Please watch this video for a step-by-step process on how to do the Adoption Information Disclosure to request a copy of your file. 

I’ve heard that there is a three-month pause on all requests to NCRC for adoption files and appointments for file reviews. Is this true?

• The three-month window was requested by the NCRC to organize the transfer of the files. 
• This is not a pause on actual services for adoptees as this would violate the Special Adoption Law. 
• There is no legal basis for denyinh adoptees services such as a request to NCRC for a copy of their file. There is no legal pause on file requests or birth family search services for adoptees. We are currently investigating this issue and hope to provide more information soon. 

Where is my file right now?

• Your adoption file is currently still located at your agency and will be transferred starting July 19th, 2025.  

Why can’t I get an appointment with my agency for a file review? 

• The agencies are understaffed and did not adequately prepare for the influx of file review requests. Hence, they have stopped taking requests as of at least May 15, 2025 (likely earlier). If you have any evidence of the agency denying you an appointment, please reach out to EARS earsonncrc@gmail.com
• If you request an electronic copy of your file from your agency, they may refer you to NCRC. In the case they do provide you a digital copy, it could take 3 - 4 weeks. 

What will happen to my file after July 19?

• Files from KSS, ESWS, KWS have been surveyed and have been made ready to be moved already. The comprehensive survey and moving preparations for the files at HAP will start around the end of June. 
• As of July 19, 2025, all adoption files will be moved to the temporary archive space, to start with the files from KSS, KWS, and ESWS. HAP's files will follow sequentially as the files are listed during the comprehensive survey of their archive. 
• This process is expacted to last up until the end of 2025, based upon the tender notice published by the NCRC. See our timeline for more details. 

Is this related to the TRC findings that were recently published?

• The file transfer is not related to the TRC findings. 

If I file for a petition for adoption disclosure will it impact my ability to get a visa in Korea or my application for dual citizenship? 

• No, filing a petition for adoption information disclosure will not impact your ability to get a visa in South Korea or your application for dual citizenship. It is within your legal right to request your adoption documents and to require the agencies and NCRC to follow the law related to adoption documents.

I applied for the Adoption Information Disclosure form but never heard back from anyone. It's been over one month.

• I’m sorry that you never heard back regarding your petition. Please email the NCRC (familysearch@ncrc.or.kr) and request a response to your petition. If you do not hear back from the NCRC, please email again or reach out to EARS earsonncrc@gmail.com