Changes in Domestic Adoption Procedures for Children Born Under the Anonymous Birth System

This study was conducted to examine how domestic adoption procedures for children born under the anonymous birth system might change and to review potential issues that may arise as a result. The study analyzed the “Special Act on Domestic Adoption” and the “Special Act on Support for Crisis Pregnancy, Protected Birth, and Child Protection”. After analyzing the contents of these laws, the adoption procedures were visualized to identify emerging issues. The analysis revealed changes and associated issues in the adoption process, including expressions of intent for adoption before birth, expansion of the scope of biological parents, consideration periods, shortened procedures when applying post-birth, proxy applications by guardians, creation of a child’s surname and clan seat, re-registration of family register after deleting birth records, omission of consultations with child protection officers under the Child Welfare Act, recording of biological parent information, and the timing of parental rights suspension and withdrawal. Based on this study, policy and practical recommendations are proposed to improve the anonymous birth system.