China Adoption

From LoveToKnow Baby

A China adoption is one of the most well-known adoptions in the United States. Since 2000, more U.S. citizens choose to adopt from China than any other country.

The Facts

The China adoption program is considered one of the most reliable adoption programs in the world. In 2005, United States parents adopted approximately 7,006 Chinese children. Here are some facts about the adoption process:

The children who are available for adoption are mostly females.
The age of the children range anywhere from infants to six years old.
At least one parent must travel to China for the adoption process.
Typically only one trip is required, although the visit may last around two weeks.
While couples may be preferred, single parent adoptions are generally accepted.
Special needs and older children may also be available for adoption from Chinese orphanages.
After the adoption, post-placement reports and supervisory visits may be required for the following year.

How To Adopt

Adoption is a long and often stressful process, with seemingly no end in sight. Once you hold your precious baby in your arms, however, the stress of the past months will disappear.

Before you begin the process, arm yourself with information. Join international adoption support groups, visit your local library to read up on China's culture, and talk to others who have completed the adoption process.

Research the country. China, just like any other countries, has particular preferences in regards to adoption. It pays to understand how an adoption in this country works, so become familiar with the ins and outs of adopting a Chinese child.
Decide on a child. Before you begin the adoption process, decide on what age child will fit into your family. Do you want an infant, a toddler, or an older child? Keep in mind that adopting from China means that you'll likely be adopting a girl. Because of the time frame involved in many adoptions, you may not be able to bring an infant home. Although you may be notified about a baby, it may take several months to gather all of the proper documentation, which means your infant may grow into a toddler before you can bring her home.
Cultural differences. Consider the cultural differences that will be evident if you proceed with the adoption. Can you handle a child of another race? How will you answer friends and family about your decision? Are you willing to embrace your child's culture as she grows?

Choose an Agency

You won't be able to complete an adoption on your own, so you want the best professional help available. You'll need to find an international adoption agency that will do the following:

Review your eligibility status.
Conduct home studies.
Help you with adoption paperwork and adoption procedures.
Coordinate referrals for children.
Facilitate parenting programs.
Handle post-placement services and reports.

Look for an agency that you feel comfortable with. Be sure they are experienced in China adoptions. Ask for references from other adoptive parents.

Home Study

After you have signed with an international adoption agency, a licensed social worker will be assigned to begin your home study. This is required for all international adoptions.

Once your home study has been approved, it will be valid for one year. After that year, your home study will need to be updated if you are still in the adoption process.

The focus of a home study is to ensure that you are suitable as a parent and that you have an appropriate home to raise your adopted child. Your home study will include the following:

Written references
Criminal background checks
Family finances
Physical exam
Family backgrounds
Parenting and discipline beliefs
Marital relationships, including any divorces
Expectation as to the type of child you want to adopt

A home study will involve several interviews over the course of the next few weeks or months. These interviews include at least one home visit. During the home visit, the social worker will be able to assess the environment in which you would raise the child. This environment will include everyone who lives in the home as well. The adoption agency will tell you all of the documentation and paperwork you will need to have on hand for the social worker to review.

Portfolio

A China adoption, just like any other adoption, will require you to assemble a portfolio, or dossier, with detailed information about yourself. The list of documents includes the following:

Financial report
Physical exam report
Adoption Petition
Post Placement Agreement
Certified marriage and birth certificates
Certified divorce decrees if necessary
Proof of home ownership
Employment verification
Copy of home study
Adoption agency license
Criminal background check results
Passport copy
Reference letters
Income tax returns
Power of Attorney
Photographs of your family, home, etc.

Adoption Costs

One of the factors involved in choosing an adoption agency is determining adoption costs. While some costs may be standard across the board, others will vary depending upon the agency that you select. The following is an example of approximate international adoption costs:

Application: $175
Home study: $1,500-$2,750
Portfolio fee: $2,700
Adoption program fee: $4,750-$12,250 (varies by country)
Travel for an escorted child: $1,500-$4,000
Post placement: $700-$1400
Total: $11,325-$23,275

Adopting country fees can vary from one country to another, but a typical fee schedule for a China adoption can be around $9,000.

Some countries require an additional significant donation to the orphanage where your child resides. These donations can run as much as several thousand dollars. Your adoption agency should give you any and all fees upfront before beginning the adoption process.

China Adoption Help

Obviously, a China adoption involves many issues. Before you become too discouraged, take a look at the following Websites, with links to more information and support groups: