China Adoption Eligibility

If you have any questions regarding eligibility for a China adoption, we would be happy to help you complete a free China adoption eligibility check prior to formally applying with GWCA. Please contact us at 512-323-9595 or contact us here to discuss China Adoption Eligibility in more detail.

Citizenship Requirements

  • At least one of the adoptive parents must be a US citizen.

Age Requirement for Parents

  • Married couples/singles must be at least 30 years old to be eligible to adopt a Waiting Child from China.
  • For married couples and for single applicants there must be no more than a 50 year age difference between the youngest parent and the adopted child.

Education Requirements

  • Each potential adoptive parent must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Financial Requirements

  • Couples must show a positive net worth (assets vs. liabilities) of at least $80,000.
  • A single parent must show a positive net worth of $100,000.
  • A single parent with no children in the home must have an income of $30,000. For each child in the home, the single parent will need to have an additional $10,000 of income (ex. a single mom with one child already in the home will need to make at least $40,000/year)
  • Adoptive families must have an annual income of at least $10,000/person in the household, including the adopted child. For example, a married couple with two children living in the home must earn at least $50,000.

Children

  • Adoptive families can have no more than five children in their home, not including the child being adopted.
  • Adoptive families cannot submit their dossier until all children in their home are at least 3 years old.
  • Families can adopt one child at a time.
  • A single parent cannot have more than 2 children in the home (not including the child to be adopted)

Health History

Families may not be eligible to adopt if any of the following apply:

  • Current diagnosis of major depression/anxiety; consult GWCA for more information.
  • Diagnosed with alcoholism within the last 10 years or any history of illegal drug/narcotic use or abuse.
  • Major organ transplant/surgery within 10 years
  • Diagnosis of cancer; consult GWCA for more information.
  • BMI greater than 40
  • If one spouse is completely healthy and the other’s medical condition does not inhibit their ability to parent a family, the family may be eligible to adopt a waiting child. Please consult GWCA for more information.

Criminal History

Families may not be eligible to adopt if any of the following apply:

  • Current warrants or currently on probation
  • Any use of/arrests for illegal drugs; any felony arrests
  • DUI or DWI charges within the last 5 years, regardless of outcome
  • Any arrest for a violent crime (examples: assault, domestic violence, child abuse/neglect)

Marriage Requirements

Couples must be married at least 2 years at the time their dossier is submitted to China (1st marriage).
If either or both spouses have one divorce, they must be married at least 2 years. If either or both spouses have two divorces, they must be married at least 5 years.

Religious Requirements

Families with religious beliefs prohibiting any kind of medical treatment will not be eligible to adopt.

**If you are not sure you are eligible or have additional questions regarding your eligibility, please contact one of our specialists! They are more than happy to talk your eligibility through with you in detail.