Home » Adoption Options » China

China Adoption

China Fast Facts:

  • 2010 adoptions: 3,401 children
  • Age/Gender: 77% Female, 72% from one to four years old in 2009.
  • Estimated Total Cost: $20,000 to $30,000 (see sample China adoption budget)
  • Profile: 77% girls; 72% from one to four years old at the time of adoption (2009); all children eligible for adoption must be legally resident in one of China’s child welfare institutes. Some use of foster care.
  • Parents' Ages: Married couples must be age 30 to 49 (both spouses); couples 50 to 54 may be considered for special-needs children. Prospective adopters must be open to a toddler if over 45. The CCAA has also implemented restrictions on the health of applicants.
  • Family Requirements: Must be married for a minimum of two years if first marriage; five years if subsequent marriage. No more than four children living in home. Both spouses must have H.S. diploma. As of March 2011, single women may adopt Special Focus children. Please check with your adoption agency for details.
  • Travel: At least one parent must travel to China to adopt. Average stay is 10-14 days. U.S. visa issued at consulate in Guangzhou.
  • Timeline:For healthy children, between three and five years. Waiting time is considerably shorter for special needs adoptions.
  • Route: Adopt through a US Hague-compliant adoption agency approved by the CCAA. No independent adoption.

China Adoption Directory

Find an adoption agency placing children from China in your state:

Adoption of children from China to the United States began in 1992, when the Chinese government passed a law ratifying international adoption. In 2010, Americans adopted 3,401 children from China. China is a member of the Hague Adoption Convention, and prospective adoptive parents work through U.S. agencies approved by the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA).

In 2007, the CCAA placed restrictions on marital status, health, education, income, and previous criminal history. Since then, the wait time for young, healthy children has slowed. As a result, many parents are choosing to adopt children with minor and correctable special needs, because these adoptions are processed at a much faster rate. In March 2011, the CCAA announced that single women may adopt Special Focus children (children who have been on the shared waiting list for more than two months).

While 77 percent of children adopted from China are girls (2009), there has been an increase in the number of adopted boys, as they are prevalent in the special needs program. Families who have adopted from China can find strong support networks throughout the U.S. For more information, visit http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=china.

Personal Stories About Chinese Adoption

Helpful Books for China Adopters

Best Web Resources for China Adopters

Find adoption professionals

Find local advice and help

CONNECT
FREE E-UPDATES
ADOPTION CIRCLE
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Click Here!