Adoption and Birth Certificate Problem

Hi!

Our former househelp's child has been living with us for 3 years now. He was just 1 year old when his mother (our former househelp) left him to our care to work in Manila. Now, my sister (who left for Norway 2 years ago) wanted to adopt the child so she could bring him to Norway, of course with the consent of the child's mother.

I just would like to ask the following:

1. how is the adoption process usually done (just an overview of the things that we should expect), and how long would it take before the child could be adopted?

2. would there be any problem considering that the child has no papers at all? he has no birth certificate, but there are records at the hospital. should the birth certificate come first before the child could be adopted?

I was asking because we don't know any lawyers, and we just want to know some things before we consult a lawyer. My sister is sort of suspicious of lawyers.

one of the most important things is getting the consent of the mother. is that possible? in not, the dswd has to first declare the child as abandoned.

Opo Atty. LLL, the mother has consented. In fact, she was the one who asked our family if we could adopt her son, and my sister (she is still single, 26yo) volunteered.

Should we be expecting any problems along the way? The child has no papers pa, that's what we are worried the most.

Mmmm Atty. LLL, I am just would like to familiarize myself with the whole process, so if it is possible could you please provide me with a link to some reading material? So I could acquaint myself with the adoption process.

Thank you po for replying and for your time, Atty. LLL.

see here: http://www.pinoylawyer.org/t4889-adoption-process