History of Chinese Adoption
U.S. Adoptions from China have increased from around 200 in 1992 to 7,096 in 2005 and has been considered the most popular country to adopt from by professionals for some years.
China reorganized the adoption process with the creation of the China Centre of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) in 1996. This reorganization allowed them to streamline and computerize their processes.
Although there have been political tensions at various times between China and the U.S., these tensions have not impacted the adoption process. The Chinese continue to be committed to international adoption.
China’s Requirements for Adoption of a Healthy Child
- Families must be between the ages of 30 and 50 years old (some exceptions can be made for older couples).
- Couples must be married for at least two years.
- As of May 1, 2007, singles will no longer be able to apply for adoption to China. Singles wishing to adopt from China must have a log-in date before May 1, 2007.
- Families must have no more than four children in the home (some exceptions can be made).
- China has a detailed list of document requirements and specific requirements for the home study.
- Post placement reports by a social worker are required 6 month and 1 year after the adoption.
China Centre of Adoption Affairs (CCAA)
- Founded in June 1996
- Administration Department receives adoption documents and sends out adoption notices.
- Liaison and Service Department communicates with foreign adoption organizations.
- Document Review Department I reviews adoption applications and other certifying documents.
- Document Review Department II reviews documents and matches children with adoptive parents.
- Archive Administration Department preserves adoption materials and manages the post placement feedback materials.
Adoption at the Provincial Level
- China is divided into Provinces.
- Each Province has its own adoption officials.
- Adoptive parents meet with the Provincial officials in the Province of the child’s orphanage.
- Local officials provide the following documents in Chinese and English: (1) Child’s Birth Certificate , (2) Certificate of Abandonment, (3) Certificate of Adoption, (4) Chinese Passport.
- The adoption is final in the Province and is recognized in full faith by the United States Government.
The Children
- In order to control population growth, China implemented a “one-child policy” which has resulted in children being abandoned. China does not allow families to place their children for adoption, so if a family cannot care for a child they may have no choice but to abandon the child in a place where the baby will hopefully be found quickly and placed in an orphanage.
- The children available for adoption from China are abandoned with no identifiable blood relatives.
- Children 6 months of age and older are available for adoption. However, it is more common to adopt a child between 7-14 months of age. The CCAA matches the children with adoptive parents.
- The children receive a medical evaluation at the orphanage. Hepatitis B is the disease of main concern. Children are tested for Hepatitis B although a negative test does not guarantee that a child will not test positive a few months later.
- China has a separate program for children with medical special needs. This program allows for families to select a child prior to starting the adoption process.
Travel to China
- Adoptive parents must travel to China to adopt their child. Only one parent is required to travel but the process is easier if both travel.
- The trip is typically made with a group of other adoptive families.
- A bilingual Lifeline representative in China will help you during your stay in China.
- The length of stay in China is from 10 to 14 days.
- Accommodations in China are western-style hotel rooms with amenities similar to those found in the United States. Rooms usually have a small refrigerator.
- Immunizations are not required for travel to China. However, this is something you should discuss with your doctor.
- Although the adoption is final in China, the child remains a Chinese citizen. Therefore, immigration paperwork must be completed at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. This consists of an interview, paperwork, and the issuance of a visa. Preliminary visa application paperwork is completed prior to travel to China.
*Information cited from “Adoption’s New Geography” seen in The Wall Street Journal on 10/14/03
