China – Process
Overview
There are many beautiful children in need of adoptive families in China. At this time the greatest need is for families willing to accept special needs children. AAI has been working in China since 1992 and there have been many changes in the process and implementation of the rules during that time. We expect the rules will continue to change and we will update you regarding the current adoption situation while you are waiting. Our coordinator in China is an attorney who keeps us updated regarding the program status. He has worked in international adoption for many years and knows the officials involved in the process and has a great working relationship with them.Available Children
Healthy and special needs children from infant to 14 years are available for adoption. Infant girls are still available. However, the current wait time is a few years (3+) currently for referral. Our greatest need at this time is for families willing to accept special needs children, children who are older, as well as boys. MANY boys wait in China. There is a LARGE list of waiting children—please contact Ky in our office to discuss this option for your family and our current waiting children’s listParent Eligibility
Couples between the ages of 30-55 years of age are eligible to adopt. Parents over the age of 50 years must be willing to consider a special needs child. Expedited referrals are given to applicants requesting a special needs child. There is a minimum marriage requirement of 2 years. If previously divorced, current marriage must be 5 years long. The average income per family member should be $10,000 or more. The family must have $80,000 of net worth.Process
You will need to obtain a current homestudy and prepare a dossier of documents which is certified and authenticated. We will help you complete the dossier and application for a visa for the adopted child to enter the USA. When all the documents are ready, we will check the dossier and send it to China for translation by our Chinese coordinator. It is submitted to the China Center of Adoption Affairs. The dossier is then reviewed and an assignment of a child is made. The child referral is sent to the AAI office in Chinese. When it is translated, it is sent to the family with a photo and acceptance documents. Families are asked to sign the acceptance documents as soon as possible so they can be sent back to China.Typical Information
A photo and available medical information is provided upon referral of the child.Travel
AAI will help make your travel arrangements. Travel usually occurs 4 to 6 weeks after travel approval. Families usually travel in small groups and stay in China from 10 to 12 days. Special needs families often do not travel in groups. Our Chinese coordinator meets you upon arrival in China and travels with you throughout the process. Our families will tell you that he does everything possible to make the trip an enjoyable experience.Post-Placement
You will be required to provide photos and two post placement reports. These will be forwarded to China Center of Adoption Affairs and the child’s orphanage.Costs
Please contact Ky at the AAI office by phone or by e-mail at for information on costs.
