Adopt From China

At this time we are not accepting new applications for this program

The China Program

China is a Hague country. We are actively seeking families for our China program that are open to children with needs, ranging from moderate to lifelong. Families open to minor/correctable needs will experience a longer wait. There are more boys in need of families than girls—as such, we have limited capacity to accept families only open to adopting a girl. Please check with us about how limited openness to gender may extend the length of your adoption process.

Watch Our Webinars

A great way to learn about the China adoption program! In this free webinar, we cover everything you need to know about adopting from China, including eligibility, the children who wait, how you match to a child, the process steps, and what fees/expenses you can expect.

Watch an On-Demand Webinar About Our China Program Now

Learn more about adopting from China, by hearing from real families about their experiences. You’ll hear about early transitions and how the children are doing now.

Watch an On-Demand Webinar to Meet Families from Our China Program

Children in China

Children are generally between the ages 1-15 years at the time of referral and are approved for intercountry adoption through age 17 by China’s central authority, the China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA). We see children who have moderate to lifelong needs. We also see children with more than one medical condition — often the combination includes a minor/correctable need along with a more moderate or lifelong condition. Overall we advocate for more boys than girls, and especially need families for children over the age of 4.

Meet Children Waiting in China Now

The Care in China

Children in China are cared for in government-run orphanages and, in some cases, foster care established through an orphanage. Children receive basic medical care, adequate nutrition and education. As numerous studies have demonstrated, institutional care is not conducive to optimal development, therefore children may experience orphanage-related delays.

Eligibility Requirements

Like most international adoption programs, China has its own unique eligibility requirements for adoptive parents. All applicants must be at least 30 years old. For heterosexual married couples, there can be no more than 50 years’ difference between the youngest parent and the child; similarly, there can be no more than 50 years’ difference between a single female applicant and child. Applicants cannot have serious physical or mental health concerns. Full requirements for singles and married couples can be found here, we encourage all interested applicants to contact us to discuss individual circumstances and eligibility.

The Process

The first step is to apply and begin the home study process. If you live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, or Virginia, we can complete your home study. If you live elsewhere, you will need to find an agency licensed in your state to complete your home study and we will serve as the primary provider/placing agency. Then, we will guide you to apply for USCIS approval and compile a dossier that we send to CCCWA. Our experienced staff will identify a child for whom you may be an appropriate match through our access to CCCWA’s online system after a dossier log-in date has been assigned. Wait times vary depending on openness. Families open to moderate or lifelong conditions will experience a shorter wait time to be matched with a child and are likely to review a referral within three to nine months of their official dossier log-in date. Families whose openness is limited to only minor/correctable identified needs can expect wait times between 12-24 months from the dossier log in date. At least one parent must travel to China. There is one trip of approximately two weeks required. Travel occurs approximately 4-6 months after referral acceptance.