Adopting a Child from China

From LoveToKnow Baby

China has the reputation of running a stable adoption program, so adopting a child from China can be the answer to many prospective parents' prayers. While the adoption path is often long and emotionally exhausting, the creation of a new family makes the process well worth the struggles that parents endure.

Chinese girl

Beginning the Process of Adopting a Child from China

Regardless of whether you choose a private adoption, open adoption, foster care adoption, or international adoption, there are specific steps you must take before the adoption is finalized. In most cases, adoptions can take several months and even years to come to fruition. Along the way, you'll fill out stacks of paperwork, amass mountains of documentation, and field questions from professionals about your home, yourself, and other family members' private lives.

Families often turn to international adoptions for a variety of reasons.

  • Some international adoptions are quicker to facilitate than private state-side adoptions.
  • International adoptions greatly reduce the risk of a contested adoption down the road.
  • International adoptions are sometimes less expensive than a private adoption in the U.S.

Keep in mind, however, that the last fact is relative. In some cases, private infant adoptions can run as much $30,000 or more. International adoptions run somewhere between $15,000 to $25,000. However, foster care adoptions can be significantly lower in costs.

If you are interested in adopting a child from China, it's important to realize that you can't do this on your own. The first step you should take in beginning this process is to find an agency that specializes in international adoptions, particularly Chinese adoptions.

Adoption Steps
  • Adoption agency-Find an agency that is familiar with the requirements set aside by the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), which handles all Chinese adoptions. Your only recourse is to use a registered agency that is accepted by this organization.
  • Home study-Regardless of the type of adoption you are pursuing, you will be required to complete a home study. This is a process in which your home and family members will be assessed by a licensed social worker or other licensed agent affiliated with the adoption agency you use. At the beginning of the process of adopting a child from China, your agency should give you a breakdown of the home study visits you'll be required to participate in.
  • Create a document portfolio-Along with the adoption application, you'll also gather together a number of other notarized documents, including health documents, tax documents, income verification, criminal background check, personal photos, and a cover letter. These notarized documents will need to be authenticated by your state's Chinese consulate.
  • Submission of documents-Once your portfolio is complete, the adoption agency is responsible for submitting the documents to the CCAA.
  • Form I-800A-This form is the "Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country", and it is submitted to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order to receive preliminary approval of the U.S. accepting your child into the country. You should file this as soon as possible.
  • Passports and vaccinations-Since you do not know when you will be required to leave the country, it is imperative that your passports and vaccinations are in order.
  • Referrals-Now is the time to wait for a referral or an offer of a child, which typically includes a personal photo and medical history and may include a letter that offers more personal info on the child. You will then be asked to accept or refuse the referral, but keep in mind that refusing a referral may mean that you do not get a second referral.
  • Travel-Once you've accepted the referral, you'll head to China where you'll remain for around three weeks. You'll work with your adoption agency throughout this process. Once the adoption proceedings are finalized and you've obtained a Chinese passport, exit permit, and immigrant visa for your child, you're ready to return to your home country with your new son or daughter.
  • Back home-Once you and your child are home, you're still required to complete at least two more visits by a social worker. You'll also need to apply for a social security number and possibly a passport for your child as well.

Points to Remember

While the adoption process is overwhelming at times, choosing a reputable adoption agency is the first step to a successful adoption. Talk with others who have already completed the process. Visit the following websites for additional information:

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