Chinese adoptions are becoming more and more popular with American families today. If you are considering an International adoption and think that it would be great to adopt a beautiful child from China, there are 15 things that you should know before you get started.
1. Most children available for Chinese adoption are girls, because of China’s single child policy. They range in ages, from infants to 6 years of age. There are some boys available for Chinese adoption, but not as frequently as girls. Older and special needs children can be adopted also. These children live mostly in orphanages and sometimes in foster care. There may be some issues with language and communication with older children, so it is important for prospective parents to learn their language.
2. Chinese adoption requires that parents wanting to adopt need to be healthy, both physically and mentally. China requires that applicants have no physical or mental handicaps, including: blindness, deafness, severe facial deformities and physical disabilities.
3. Only adoptions that are fully completed in China are permitted in Chinese adoption. It isn’t possible to obtain guardianship of a Chinese child for adoption in the United States. The China Adoption law has specific provisions as to what children are available for adoption and what adoptive parents are acceptable.
4. People seeking Chinese adoption must be at least 30 years of age and under the age of 50. If you are dealing with special needs adoption agencies and want to adopt a child with special needs, you will be eligible up to the age of 55.
5. In a Chinese adoption you must be a married couple if you want to adopt. No single applicants are even considered to be adoptive parents. A minimum of two years of marriage is required. If one or both of the applicants were previously married, then a minimum of five years of marriage is required. No more than two divorces per spouse are allowed.
6. Parents seeking Chinese adoption cannot have a criminal history, although some exceptions can be made for minor offenses.
7. Prospective parents can have no history of drug or alcohol abuse, including the abuse of prescription medication.
8. An important requirement for Chinese international adoption is that the family must have a net worth of at least $80,000. This includes a standard $10,000 annual income per family member, including the adopted child, for a minimum income of $30,000 a year for a family of three. This income cannot include pensions, unemployment insurance, or other government funds.
9. The prospective family seeking a Chinese adoption can have up to four children in the family already, with the youngest being no younger than one year old. There are exceptions made for couples willing to adopt a special needs child. Only a childless couple will be allowed to adopt twins.
10 When a couple is participating in a Chinese international adoption, they will need to travel to China, to get the child. It is recommended that both parents travel together, but only one parent is required to make the journey. The average time that will be spent in China will be anywhere from 12 to 16 days.
11 The length of time that a Chinese international adoption may take from application to placement will vary from agency to agency. A couple planning a Chinese adoption can expect a wait of about three years. Sometimes the process is quicker if the couple is willing to adopt a child with special needs. A child that is considered “Special Needs” may only have a minor physical impairment that may easily be surgically corrected, so this may be an option you might consider.
12 Chinese international adoption is smoothly regulated, with set timelines, court appearances and regulated fees and costs. There are no surprises or hidden fees when adopting from China. One of the fees you’ll pay is an orphanage fee, which goes towards improving the other children’s quality of life.
13 Also, Chinese international adoption is not a possibility if either of the applicants have a body mass index of greater than 40%, or if they are being treated, or have been treated for a mental disorder (including depression) in the last two years.
14 The adoption agency that is chosen should be thoroughly researched before making a huge deposit, or signing any paperwork. It may be a good idea to contact an adoption attorney as well.
15 Chinese adoption is one of the more affordable adoption options when a couple chooses to adopt internationally. Most parents who adopt children from China are very happy with their decision, and say that they would gladly do it again.
International Adoption Questions
