China Adoption Facts

Did You Know?

• There are about 712,000 orphans in China (25% increase in the last five years)...this is only a portion of the 147+ MILLION orphan children worldwide. 
• It is Estimated that LESS THAN 10% of all orphan children are adopted into evangelical Christian families? 
• If only 10% more Christians in America would adopt, it would be equivalent to providing homes for all the orphans in Eastern Europe (1.5 million), Latin America (400,000), and the US foster care system (150,000)

History of Chinese Adoption

• U.S. Adoptions from China have increased from around 200 in 1992 to 3001 in 2009 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 Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) 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 –

• Families must be between the ages of 30 and 50 years old (55 years old for SN adoptions.)
• Couples must be married for at least two years. In the case of couples with previous marriages, the current marriage must have reached the 5 year mark.
• No more than two previous marriages per spouse.
• $80,000 net worth.
• Income requirement:  $10,000 for every member of the family, including the prospective adoptee.
• Body Mass Index: no more than 40.
• No psychotropic medications within the last two years. 
• Families must have no more than four children currently living in the home. Some exceptions can be made in the case of SN adoptions.
• Youngest child must be older than one year old.

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. If both parents travel to China, citizenship is finalized upon the family’s return to the United States
• Your child’s Chinese passport is issued in the province.

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 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.  The CCCWA matches the children with adoptive parents.
• Children with special needs are usually between the ages of one and fourteen.
• 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.

Travel to China

• Adoptive parents must travel to China to adopt their child. In the case of a married couple, 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; 5 days in the province (where your child’s orphanage is located) and 5 days in Guangzhou (where the US consulate is located).  
• Accommodations in China are western-style hotel rooms with amenities similar to those found in the United States. Rooms usually have a safe, small refrigerator and a hot-pot. Most hotels will also provide internet access for a small charge.
• Immunizations are not required for travel to China. However, this is something you should discuss with your doctor or local health department. Many families choose to have the Hep B series and an updated tetanus shot prior to travel.
• Although the adoption is final in China, the child remains a Chinese citizen until the completion of immigration paperwork at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China. This consists of an interview, paperwork, and the issuance of a visa. Your child’s visa authorizes his/her travel to the US.