Article 27. Who May Adopt. -

Any person of age and in full possession of his civil rights may adopt: Provided, That he is in a position to support and care for his legitimate, legitimated or acknowledged natural children, or natural children by legal fiction or other illegitimate children, in keeping with the means, both material and otherwise, of the family.

An alien not permanently residing in the Philippines who seeks to adopt within the country must reside in the Philippines for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of the petition for adoption, must reside in the Philippines for the duration of the Trial custody period required in this Chapter, and must comply with such rules and regulations that have been or may be issued by the Council for the Welfare of Children. However, the residence and trial custody period requirements under this paragraph may be reduced or dispensed with in the discretion of the court if the applicant/applicants and the child are related by blood or affinity.

In all cases of adoption, the adopter must be at least fifteen year older than the person to be adopted.