Why Adopt From China?

American families choose to adopt from China more often than from any other country. In fact as of 2008, more than 66,000 Chinese orphans have been placed with American families. Adoptive parents consistently cite the same reasons for choosing to adopt from China.

Healthy Adoptive Children:

• Chinese orphans are well cared for and are comparatively healthy
• Biological mothers live a simple life on a farm or in the country, and have little access to drugs or alcohol
• Harvard University study recently indicated that the majority of the children adopted from China are healthier than those adopted from other countries
• Developmental delays due to institutionalization are overcome quickly with individual care and good nutrition

Age of Adoptive Children:

• Children are available from 5 months through 14 years of age
• Majority of the children adopted are at least 6 months old
• Currently, the average age of the children adopted to parents in the youngest age bracket (age 30-44) is between 8-10 months old

Girls and Boys Available:

• Approximately 95% are girls
• Boys are available for adoption too! There are many boys who are older than 4 years who need permanent, loving homes

Waiting Children:

• Boys and girls of all ages with special medical needs
• China’s Waiting Child Program manages the care and placement of these special needs children
• If you would like to receive more information about the Waiting Child Program, please contact Stephanie Crouch at stephanie@gwca.org or 512.323.9595 ext: 3053

Stable Adoption Process:

• The U.S. and Chinese governments have maintained a harmonious relationship for many decades
• The China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) matches parents with children according to a steady and predictable procedure
• Parents adopting from China do not wait to be selected by birth parents
• Parents are matched with children based upon CCAA eligibility and the personal characteristics of the family and child

Parental Rights:

• The child’s biological parents and family members have three months to come forward to claim the child
• If no one steps forward, all parental rights are severed and the child is brought to an orphanage where s/he becomes eligible for adoption
• All adoptions are finalized in China for married applicants where both parents travel to complete the adoption
• The adoptive parents have all legal rights and responsibilities for the child

One Trip to China:

• China’s adoption program requires only one trip to China
• Parents receive their child three to five days after arriving in Beijing
• Parents begin caring for their child immediately
• Although it is recommended that both parents travel, China requires only one parent to spend approximately 12 to 17 days in China to complete the adoption

Adoption Finalized in China:

• If both parents travel, the adoption is finalized in China
• If only one parent travels, the child must be re-adopted in the U.S.

Affordable Adoption Program:

• China's adoption program is very affordable compared to other international adoption programs
• Adoptions from China are structured and consistent
• All fees are outlined at the beginning of the process
• Unexpected "gifts" or "payments" are not a part of China's process
• The Great Wall program fee runs from $4,000 and up depending on the level of service you need

Timeframe for Adoption

Currently, the timeframe from beginning your dossier and receiving your baby varies greatly depending on many circumstances. Please contact our office for updated information.The CCAA expedites the matching process for families when one or more of the following apply:

• Parents adopting a child with medical needs through the Waiting Child Program
• At least one adoptive parent was born in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan
• Both parents of one spouse were born in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan
• Both parents of both spouses were born in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan

Age Requirements for Parents:

• Married couples 30 to 50 years old are eligible to adopt from China.
• Adoptive parents must be at least 30 years old when the dossier is registered in China.
• Married couples 30 to 55 years old are eligible to adopt a Waiting Child from China.
• China bases eligibility on each person's age. If one spouse is under 30 or one spouse is over 55, the couple is not eligible to adopt.
• Parents age 55-60 may be considered on a case by case basis. Call Great Wall for more information.

Safe Travel Conditions:

• Americans are safe traveling in China
• The Chinese government imposes severe punishment on anyone threatening the safety of foreign tourists
• The Chinese people are accepting of Americans adopting from China
• Adoptive parents are treated with courtesy and curiosity
• The Chinese government does not discriminate against families in the U.S. military