Adoption Info -> International Adoptions -> China - Special Needs -> What To Expect

China - Special Needs

PLAN’s China program is among the least expensive of all international adoption programs.

Beautiful girls and boys of all ages wait for a family to call their own. They have a wide range of special needs form minor to more severe, some have already been corrected.

WHY CONSIDER ADOPTING A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS FROM CHINA?

• Established adoption program in country; PLAN was one of the first five agencies to work in China
• Many children available
• Only one parent required to travel, usually home within 12-14 days
• Lower overall cost than most other countries
• Fully assisted by experienced escorts in China

DOSSIER REQUIREMENTS: Documents needed to complete an adoption in China. Specific details and assistance will be provided when completing dossier.

• INS pre-approval (I-600A)
• Adoption application
• Homestudy
• 6-10 photos and 2 passport photos
• Certified Copies of birth certificates (1 each)
• Bank letter
• Certified divorce decree (if applicable)
• Local police clearance (1 each)
• Medical & financial statements (forms provided)
• Letter to Honorable Officials of the PRC
• Letters from employers
• Certified Copy of marriage certificate (1)
• Photocopies of passports

GETTING READY:

• Obtain 2 each of certified birth certificates & marriage certificates
• Pre-file I-600A with your local CIS office
• Obtain passports

PREADOPT EDUCATION: Preadopt education is required for all adopting families. If your homestudy agency does not offer at least ten hours of approved, adoption-specific education, you will need to take PLAN’s adoption course. For more information about preadopt education, please click here.

CHILDREN AVAILABLE: Children six months and up with a wide variety of special needs, some minor. In China it is not legally possible to abandon a child. Thus, children are abandoned where they can be quickly found. The children come under the care of the government orphanages in the region where they were found; most are given excellent care in foster homes.

FAMILY REQUIREMENTS: Married couples ages 30 (minimum) to under 55. The minimum age is strictly enforced. Some health restrictions apply including obesity and mental health issues – see PLAN for a more complete list. No more than 3 marriages, including present marriage. No more than 5 children (including adopted child). China requires at least $10,000 in annual income per household member (including adopted child).

REFERRAL & PROCESSING TIME: Process to apply to adopt a pre-identified special needs child:

1. Apply to CCAA for approval. It takes approximately 3-6 months for a CCAA decision.
2. Dossier must be submitted as quickly as possible.
3. From submitting dossier to travel is approximately 5-7 months, after submitting dossier.

LENGTH OF TRAVEL: One or both parents must travel and stay for approximately 12 days. Your entire trip will be escorted. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping and sightseeing in addition to the official visits and paperwork. If you wish, you can begin by touring the sights of Beijing and the Great Wall.

RETURN HOME: Re-adoption is highly recommended; this provides legal change of name and child’s birth registry in state of residence. Certificate of naturalization should be obtained; effective January 1, 2000, if both parents travel to China to receive their child, the child will automatically be sent a certificate of naturalization upon returning home. If only one parent travels, it will be necessary to re-adopt, and then apply for a certificate of naturalization. China requires a specified number of post-placement reports. Strict adherence to providing post-placements is necessary. Information and post-placement schedule will be provided upon return home.