After the baby is finally here...then what?
I remember being so very excited about each baby coming into our lives. I also remember the thought of not knowing what to do after we brought them home. Either carrying a baby in your tummy for 9 months or in your heart for 14 months, the end result is loving your baby through the ups and downs. Giving birth has it's own "getting to know you time" and adjustments. Each child is different and each experience will be different.
While in China, Alaina was the perfect little baby in my arms. She "shut down" the first few hours and some times throughout the days we were in China...the beginning of her grieving. The grieving is so normal. She had been torn away from everything she had ever known...especially the foster parents. Alaina was loved and cared for while in China so this makes sense that she would grieve.
Overall, she was very happy in my arms while in China. After we returned, we had a different child in our arms. She would slap herself and scream really loudly if someone tried to touch her...really a difficult thing. I didn't want people thinking that we had a "crazy child" so it was challenging for me.
It wasn't long that her true self came out. She is the most beautiful, smart, affectionate little girl. Her love language is 'touch' for sure. She fits perfectly with our other children and if I didn't know better, I would think that she did come out of my tummy. God had her planned for us.
See OUR FIRST YEAR slide show
Saturday, February 28, 2009
What is a typical adoption trip like when adopting from China?
Read our Travel Journal to Alaina to see our wonderful experience. Read about a typical adoption trip on the CCAI website here.
Read our Travel Journal to Alaina to see our wonderful experience. Read about a typical adoption trip on the CCAI website here.
Qualifications To Adopt From China
According to the Adoption Law of the People’s Republic of China (published 11/4/1998 ), current Chinese government policies and practices, and U.S. immigration laws, you must meet the following guidelines to qualify for a China adoption:
Applicants must be a legally married heterosexual couple. At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Couples with no previous marriages must be married for at least two years at the time the dossier is logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). If either spouse has been previously married, the current marriage must be at least five years old at the time the dossier is logged in at the CCAA. No applicant may have had more than two divorces.
Applicants must be at least 30 years old* and no older than 49 years old at the time their dossier is logged in at the CCAA. Applicants are qualified to adopt children based on their ages as specified below. When spouses have ages that fall into two categories, they must be open to the upper age limit of the child to be adopted.
Applicants ages 30 - 44 qualify for a child with no known medical conditions up to 12 months of age.**
Applicants ages 45 - 49 qualify for a child with no known medical conditions up to 24 months of age.**
*Applicants may submit an application to CCAI once both parents are at least 29.5 years old.
**Currently, the youngest children coming out of China are about seven months old. All families are qualified for a child older than the above-mentioned age range, if desired.
All above applicants are qualified, if desired, for a child with medical conditions.
Families must have no more than four minor children living in the home, and the youngest child must be at least 12 months old at the time the dossier is logged in.
Families must document $10,000 of annual income per member in the household, including the to-be-adopted child. A minimum of $80,000 net worth is required.
Applicants must be in good physical and mental condition necessary to provide responsible care for an adopted child. If an applicant has a history of any cancer, please contact CCAI before completing the Application for Adoption.
If any applicant is currently taking any medication for depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia, the applicant is not eligible to apply. If the medications were taken in the past, the applicant must have been off the medication for at least two years at the time the dossier is submitted to the CCAA.
Each applicant’s Body Mass Index (BMI) must be under 40. (BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI=kg/m 2). Click here to calculate your BMI
Applicants must have a minimum of high school education or equivalent.
Applicants must have no criminal record or alcohol abuse within the past 10 years. Neither applicant may have committed any acts of domestic violence, sexual abuse or child abuse. Applicants must have no history of illegal drug use, including experimentation.
Families who have adopted from China previously may submit their next dossier to China once their previous adoption has been finalized for at least one year.
According to the Adoption Law of the People’s Republic of China (published 11/4/1998 ), current Chinese government policies and practices, and U.S. immigration laws, you must meet the following guidelines to qualify for a China adoption:
Applicants must be a legally married heterosexual couple. At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
Couples with no previous marriages must be married for at least two years at the time the dossier is logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). If either spouse has been previously married, the current marriage must be at least five years old at the time the dossier is logged in at the CCAA. No applicant may have had more than two divorces.
Applicants must be at least 30 years old* and no older than 49 years old at the time their dossier is logged in at the CCAA. Applicants are qualified to adopt children based on their ages as specified below. When spouses have ages that fall into two categories, they must be open to the upper age limit of the child to be adopted.
Applicants ages 30 - 44 qualify for a child with no known medical conditions up to 12 months of age.**
Applicants ages 45 - 49 qualify for a child with no known medical conditions up to 24 months of age.**
*Applicants may submit an application to CCAI once both parents are at least 29.5 years old.
**Currently, the youngest children coming out of China are about seven months old. All families are qualified for a child older than the above-mentioned age range, if desired.
All above applicants are qualified, if desired, for a child with medical conditions.
Families must have no more than four minor children living in the home, and the youngest child must be at least 12 months old at the time the dossier is logged in.
Families must document $10,000 of annual income per member in the household, including the to-be-adopted child. A minimum of $80,000 net worth is required.
Applicants must be in good physical and mental condition necessary to provide responsible care for an adopted child. If an applicant has a history of any cancer, please contact CCAI before completing the Application for Adoption.
If any applicant is currently taking any medication for depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia, the applicant is not eligible to apply. If the medications were taken in the past, the applicant must have been off the medication for at least two years at the time the dossier is submitted to the CCAA.
Each applicant’s Body Mass Index (BMI) must be under 40. (BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI=kg/m 2). Click here to calculate your BMI
Applicants must have a minimum of high school education or equivalent.
Applicants must have no criminal record or alcohol abuse within the past 10 years. Neither applicant may have committed any acts of domestic violence, sexual abuse or child abuse. Applicants must have no history of illegal drug use, including experimentation.
Families who have adopted from China previously may submit their next dossier to China once their previous adoption has been finalized for at least one year.
Why did you choose Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) as your agency?
We researched for a very long time and God lead us to Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI). In our research, we were looking for many qualities in an agency.
1) Experienced. We wanted an agency that had done 1000's of adoptions with experience behind them. CCAI has done over 7000 China adoptions in just 14 years so they know the China adoption process very well. We also wanted an agency that focused all their time and ability on just China. When we adopted Alaina, CCAA was referring 100 babies each month to CCAI. The CCAA splits the 100 families into maybe 12 groups so normally you have between 6 to 8 families traveling together. Our group had 12 families traveling together which was a large number. The majority of families are choosing CCAI so that must mean they are doing something right. :)
2) Experienced staff in China It was very important to us to find an agency that took care of us while in China and had their own representatives in China. Our CCAI representatives stayed in the hotel with us 24/7 and was always available. Many agencies use hired "guides". CCAI has 25 in-China Representatives that live in each province. They are employees of CCAI, their In-China Staff. This is important because each province speaks a different dialect. The dialects in China are so different that the local dialects become a different language even though China only claims to have two spoken languages. This makes it very difficult for the people to communicate with others in different provinces. Having CCAI representatives who spoke and lived in the town helped the trip to feel like a vacation. They knew local restaurant staff and other businesses well so we knew that we were getting good deals on our travels. We stayed in five-star hotels, ate at the most elegant Chinese restaurants (for about $6 a meal), and had time for some great shopping. Read here about CCAI In-China representatives and a typical China trip.
3) Caring staff. We were looking for an agency with a personable staff. When adopting through a China program, you do not have to live in the same town or even the same state. Our agency, Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) has a main office in Colorado. They also have many branch offices as well. It doesn't matter at all how close or how far away an agency is located. Actually, most of CCAI's families are outside of Colorado. With our experience, we have discovered CCAI to be very professional, kind, caring and organized. Every time we have called or emailed them, every staff member is so caring. They believe in empowering adopting families with constant and accurate information at all times through the website, monthly newsletters, and most of all, their 24-hour phone/e-mail/fax return practice. U.S. and China staff, many of whom have adopted children themselves, understand our dreams and expectations. They provide uncompromised first class and hand-holding adoption service throughout the entire process. Overall, you get the experience of a "large agency" with "small agency" care. Click on this to see a video at the CCAI office in Colorado.
4) Lowest fees. CCAI is among the lowest in cost. The cost for a China adoption is the lowest we have seen and CCAI is among the lowest. Many agencies charge $10,000 plus more than CCAI. Read more about Financial Integrity on the CCAI website.
5) Chinese Heritage and Christian faith. For us, finding out that Joshua and Lily, the founders of CCAI are Christians and also born in China, helped our decision to use CCAI. You can read about Joshua's Testimony on the CCAI website. I'm so amazed how God worked in his life to bring him to where he is today, serving babies and families for HIS glory. They have adopted a beautiful Chinese little girl. Click here to read about Anna's adoption story. Josh and Lily understand what it's like to adopt and they understand the culture of China. They have the best relationship with the CCAA. It is important to them to help adopting families after we are home to teach our girls and boys about their heritage. CCAI provides cultural education and support to adopted children and their families through the Joyous Chinese Cultural Center. Also, CCAI provides Heritage Tours in China. When our children are older, we can't wait to travel to China with CCAI's Heritage Tours.
6) Happy returning families. Thousands of CCAI adoptive families are on our reference list and are available to talk with you about their adoption experience. More than 40% of CCAI families have adopted twice through CCAI and 17% have adopted three times! I guess we are in that 40% group.
7) Care for the babies left behind. CCAI provides humanitarian aid to children left behind in the orphanages through its Chinese Children Charity Fund. They really care about the children left behind. Many little lives are changed because their work in China. Millions of dollars have been given to help these little children left behind. Read more on the site about the Chinese Children's Charity Fund on the CCAI site.
We researched for a very long time and God lead us to Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI). In our research, we were looking for many qualities in an agency.
1) Experienced. We wanted an agency that had done 1000's of adoptions with experience behind them. CCAI has done over 7000 China adoptions in just 14 years so they know the China adoption process very well. We also wanted an agency that focused all their time and ability on just China. When we adopted Alaina, CCAA was referring 100 babies each month to CCAI. The CCAA splits the 100 families into maybe 12 groups so normally you have between 6 to 8 families traveling together. Our group had 12 families traveling together which was a large number. The majority of families are choosing CCAI so that must mean they are doing something right. :)
2) Experienced staff in China It was very important to us to find an agency that took care of us while in China and had their own representatives in China. Our CCAI representatives stayed in the hotel with us 24/7 and was always available. Many agencies use hired "guides". CCAI has 25 in-China Representatives that live in each province. They are employees of CCAI, their In-China Staff. This is important because each province speaks a different dialect. The dialects in China are so different that the local dialects become a different language even though China only claims to have two spoken languages. This makes it very difficult for the people to communicate with others in different provinces. Having CCAI representatives who spoke and lived in the town helped the trip to feel like a vacation. They knew local restaurant staff and other businesses well so we knew that we were getting good deals on our travels. We stayed in five-star hotels, ate at the most elegant Chinese restaurants (for about $6 a meal), and had time for some great shopping. Read here about CCAI In-China representatives and a typical China trip.
3) Caring staff. We were looking for an agency with a personable staff. When adopting through a China program, you do not have to live in the same town or even the same state. Our agency, Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) has a main office in Colorado. They also have many branch offices as well. It doesn't matter at all how close or how far away an agency is located. Actually, most of CCAI's families are outside of Colorado. With our experience, we have discovered CCAI to be very professional, kind, caring and organized. Every time we have called or emailed them, every staff member is so caring. They believe in empowering adopting families with constant and accurate information at all times through the website, monthly newsletters, and most of all, their 24-hour phone/e-mail/fax return practice. U.S. and China staff, many of whom have adopted children themselves, understand our dreams and expectations. They provide uncompromised first class and hand-holding adoption service throughout the entire process. Overall, you get the experience of a "large agency" with "small agency" care. Click on this to see a video at the CCAI office in Colorado.
4) Lowest fees. CCAI is among the lowest in cost. The cost for a China adoption is the lowest we have seen and CCAI is among the lowest. Many agencies charge $10,000 plus more than CCAI. Read more about Financial Integrity on the CCAI website.
5) Chinese Heritage and Christian faith. For us, finding out that Joshua and Lily, the founders of CCAI are Christians and also born in China, helped our decision to use CCAI. You can read about Joshua's Testimony on the CCAI website. I'm so amazed how God worked in his life to bring him to where he is today, serving babies and families for HIS glory. They have adopted a beautiful Chinese little girl. Click here to read about Anna's adoption story. Josh and Lily understand what it's like to adopt and they understand the culture of China. They have the best relationship with the CCAA. It is important to them to help adopting families after we are home to teach our girls and boys about their heritage. CCAI provides cultural education and support to adopted children and their families through the Joyous Chinese Cultural Center. Also, CCAI provides Heritage Tours in China. When our children are older, we can't wait to travel to China with CCAI's Heritage Tours.
6) Happy returning families. Thousands of CCAI adoptive families are on our reference list and are available to talk with you about their adoption experience. More than 40% of CCAI families have adopted twice through CCAI and 17% have adopted three times! I guess we are in that 40% group.
7) Care for the babies left behind. CCAI provides humanitarian aid to children left behind in the orphanages through its Chinese Children Charity Fund. They really care about the children left behind. Many little lives are changed because their work in China. Millions of dollars have been given to help these little children left behind. Read more on the site about the Chinese Children's Charity Fund on the CCAI site.
What does it cost to adopt from China?
The cost for a China adoption is among the lowest. The cost is between $18,000 to $19,000, (depending on how many people travel) and that includes everything including hotel, food, airplane, all paperwork,...everything included. To see a complete list of expenses, we have a link for the CCAI Expenses at the bottom of this page.
Our U.S. Government, gives each adopting family a tax credit around $12,150 once home with the baby. So in the end, it really only costs $6,850 or less. For more details about the United States Tax adoption benefits, click here: Adoption Tax Benefits. You can read more about how to fundraise, find grant money and loans by clicking on Fundraising For Adoption. There are so many options for fundraising. Many of our friends choose to sell candy bars, bottle water, sell on ebay and many more ideas. If God has called you to adoption, He will provide every penny. I promise.
The best news of all, CCAI is among the lowest of agencies. They are able to find the best deals and they know what they are doing after having finished over 7000 adoptions from China. Read more about Financial Integrity from the CCAI and see why CCAI is the lowest in China programs.
A China Adoption Agency with Financial Integrity
By Joshua Zhong, CCAI Co-Founder and President
When I graduated from college in 1984, the Chinese government assigned me a teaching job at a newly-established college in Liaoning Province. As a college professor, my monthly salary was 56 RMB (about $7.00). When I came to the USA in 1986, I had $15.00 in my pocket and one small piece of luggage. I held on to that $15.00 for as long as I could before I had to spend it. When Lily and I first looked into the possibility of starting an adoption agency in 1992, we were stunned by how expensive adoption was. As we started to talk to prospective adoptive families, we became aware of the financial gap between their desire to adopt a child and actually getting a child into their arms. As a result, we resolved to establish an adoption agency that would offer second-to-none service and charge the least. We can say very proudly that we have accomplished our goal. Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) is not only recognized as the best and largest China adoption agency in the world, but it is also rated as one of the most affordable agencies in the USA. Lily and I come from a culture where adoption is not very acceptable. Most abandoned children simply have no second chance for a permanent loving home. That’s why Lily and I are so moved every time we see loving and successful people like you who are considering bringing a child abandoned by our own people into your wonderful home to give her/him all the love in the world. Your act of love is both touching and inspiring. We feel the only thing we can do to pay back your extraordinary love is to give you the best and most affordable adoption service possible. Today, there are ninety-three American adoption agencies that are directly involved in placing children from China. The total adoption costs among all the agencies range from as low as $17,000 (like CCAI) to as high as $35,000. Once in a while I hear questions and doubts from cautious prospective families. “Why are you so cheap?” they ask. The issue is not cheap or expensive; it is about financial integrity, financial accountability, and financial transparency. We believe it is an adoption agency’s ethical responsibility to keep adoption costs as low as possible, so one more family might be able to afford to adopt and one more child might have the chance for a loving home. Here’s why CCAI can offer first-class service for some of the lowest fees:
CCAI’s focus is China adoption only. By working with an agency focusing solely on China, you not only get undivided attention and specialized service, but you also save a lot of money because your adoption expenses never go to support an adoption program for another country.
CCAI relies on word of mouth. Instead of hiring a huge marketing team and spending thousands of dollars on publications and promotions, we focus on building a solid customer base. More than 85% of families we work with come to us through the recommendation of a friend or relative, or even a stranger in a shopping mall holding a beautiful Chinese child!
CCAI is your negotiator. Our more than twenty-five strong in-China representatives serve not only as your adoption guide while you are in China, but also as your most trusted negotiator. We want to make sure you get the best deal on accommodations, airline tickets, and other services in China.
CCAI dares to make a promise. When you work with CCAI, there are no hidden charges, no last minute surprises, and no under-the-table dealings. Your CCAI service fees are locked in as soon as you submit your Application for Adoption. In a world where fraud and dishonesty are not uncommon among non- or for-profit businesses, adoptive families have every right to question and doubt when their own money is on the line. That’s why it’s important to do thorough research and ask the tough financial questions before selecting an adoption agency. Adoption is a leap of faith and an emotional journey, and adoptive families should never have to add the financial integrity of their adoption agency to their worries or concerns.
To see the Cost details of adopting through CCAI, click on this: CCAI Expenses
The cost for a China adoption is among the lowest. The cost is between $18,000 to $19,000, (depending on how many people travel) and that includes everything including hotel, food, airplane, all paperwork,...everything included. To see a complete list of expenses, we have a link for the CCAI Expenses at the bottom of this page.
Our U.S. Government, gives each adopting family a tax credit around $12,150 once home with the baby. So in the end, it really only costs $6,850 or less. For more details about the United States Tax adoption benefits, click here: Adoption Tax Benefits. You can read more about how to fundraise, find grant money and loans by clicking on Fundraising For Adoption. There are so many options for fundraising. Many of our friends choose to sell candy bars, bottle water, sell on ebay and many more ideas. If God has called you to adoption, He will provide every penny. I promise.
The best news of all, CCAI is among the lowest of agencies. They are able to find the best deals and they know what they are doing after having finished over 7000 adoptions from China. Read more about Financial Integrity from the CCAI and see why CCAI is the lowest in China programs.
A China Adoption Agency with Financial Integrity
By Joshua Zhong, CCAI Co-Founder and President
When I graduated from college in 1984, the Chinese government assigned me a teaching job at a newly-established college in Liaoning Province. As a college professor, my monthly salary was 56 RMB (about $7.00). When I came to the USA in 1986, I had $15.00 in my pocket and one small piece of luggage. I held on to that $15.00 for as long as I could before I had to spend it. When Lily and I first looked into the possibility of starting an adoption agency in 1992, we were stunned by how expensive adoption was. As we started to talk to prospective adoptive families, we became aware of the financial gap between their desire to adopt a child and actually getting a child into their arms. As a result, we resolved to establish an adoption agency that would offer second-to-none service and charge the least. We can say very proudly that we have accomplished our goal. Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) is not only recognized as the best and largest China adoption agency in the world, but it is also rated as one of the most affordable agencies in the USA. Lily and I come from a culture where adoption is not very acceptable. Most abandoned children simply have no second chance for a permanent loving home. That’s why Lily and I are so moved every time we see loving and successful people like you who are considering bringing a child abandoned by our own people into your wonderful home to give her/him all the love in the world. Your act of love is both touching and inspiring. We feel the only thing we can do to pay back your extraordinary love is to give you the best and most affordable adoption service possible. Today, there are ninety-three American adoption agencies that are directly involved in placing children from China. The total adoption costs among all the agencies range from as low as $17,000 (like CCAI) to as high as $35,000. Once in a while I hear questions and doubts from cautious prospective families. “Why are you so cheap?” they ask. The issue is not cheap or expensive; it is about financial integrity, financial accountability, and financial transparency. We believe it is an adoption agency’s ethical responsibility to keep adoption costs as low as possible, so one more family might be able to afford to adopt and one more child might have the chance for a loving home. Here’s why CCAI can offer first-class service for some of the lowest fees:
CCAI’s focus is China adoption only. By working with an agency focusing solely on China, you not only get undivided attention and specialized service, but you also save a lot of money because your adoption expenses never go to support an adoption program for another country.
CCAI relies on word of mouth. Instead of hiring a huge marketing team and spending thousands of dollars on publications and promotions, we focus on building a solid customer base. More than 85% of families we work with come to us through the recommendation of a friend or relative, or even a stranger in a shopping mall holding a beautiful Chinese child!
CCAI is your negotiator. Our more than twenty-five strong in-China representatives serve not only as your adoption guide while you are in China, but also as your most trusted negotiator. We want to make sure you get the best deal on accommodations, airline tickets, and other services in China.
CCAI dares to make a promise. When you work with CCAI, there are no hidden charges, no last minute surprises, and no under-the-table dealings. Your CCAI service fees are locked in as soon as you submit your Application for Adoption. In a world where fraud and dishonesty are not uncommon among non- or for-profit businesses, adoptive families have every right to question and doubt when their own money is on the line. That’s why it’s important to do thorough research and ask the tough financial questions before selecting an adoption agency. Adoption is a leap of faith and an emotional journey, and adoptive families should never have to add the financial integrity of their adoption agency to their worries or concerns.
To see the Cost details of adopting through CCAI, click on this: CCAI Expenses
What are the steps in the process of adopting from China?
The process to adopt a baby from China is not difficult, just time consuming. CCAI will give you a great Dossier Guide to follow. You will know exactly what to do next. Follow the directions, gather up your paperwork for your dossier, and CCAI does the rest.
Basic Steps and the timeline of the China adoption process
(Courtesy of Chinese Children Adoption International)
Application Approval to Travel:
26 Months
Application
Dossier
Dossier Review
Wait to Match
Match to Travel
Travel
5 working days
3-5 Months
9-11 working days
24 Months
5-8 Weeks
14-16 Days
There are benchmarks in every China adoption. To give you an idea of what is involved in a China adoption through CCAI, the following is a six-point summary that highlights the major steps and timeframe of the process. Because of the nature of international adoption, this timeframe can change during your adoption process, but CCAI is committed to keeping you informed of the current timeframe as you work toward your adopted child. Understanding the process and timeline now will enable you to be better prepared for this incredible journey that brings you and your child together.
1. CCAI Application for Adoption
Your application allows CCAI to screen your qualifications for a China adoption. From your application, we are able to determine whether or not you meet the requirements of our agency and the requirements of the various government entities that will be involved in your adoption- U.S. government, Chinese government, etc. If a family submits a complete and truthful application and is approved by CCAI, we commit to serving you through all the stages of a China adoption.
2. Compilation of Dossier Materials - 3-5 Months
Once your adoption application has been approved, you will begin to compile your adoption dossier. Your dossier is a collection of documents that report on various aspects of your life and represents you as adoptive parents to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), the Chinese government agency responsible for all international adoptions in China. This part of the adoption process often seems daunting to adoptive families, but it is important to remember that by following CCAI's copyrighted Adoption Dossier Guide, and getting help from our knowledgeable Dossier Team, over 7000 children have been successfully adopted.
You generate and compile many of the dossier documents on your own, but your dossier cannot be complete without your China Home Study Report and immigration approval from the USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services). The timeline for compiling your dossier is determined by how efficiently your Home Study agency and local USCIS office runs and how diligent you are when preparing your documents.
3. CCAI Dossier Review and Mail to China - 9-11 Days
Once you submit your completed dossier to CCAI, our Dossier Team will critically review your documents, bind your dossier, mount the pictures, and write an agency recommendation in Chinese. We will then send it to CCAI's China office via international Express Mail. Our Beijing representatives will hand-deliver it to the CCAA.
4. The Wait and CCAA Child Match - 24 Months
Every family considering China adoption must come to terms with the wait between dossier submission and child match. Please remember child match and travel timelines are controlled by the CCAA and are subject to change. The timeframe may lengthen or shorten while you are in process. Throughout the wait, families are encouraged to check in with CCAI regularly. We publish newsletters that help you stay informed about the current match timeline and also post frequent updates on our Web site. We maintain a library of books and resources at our office and are able to recommend relevant reading materials to families as they wait.
When it is your turn to be matched, the CCAA will match you with a child according to your qualifications and preferences as presented in your dossier. Your child's photos and translated physical examination report will be sent to you through CCAI.
5. Travel - 5-8 Weeks After Match
Once you sign and return your Child's Acceptance letter to CCAI, we will Express Mail it to the CCAA. You will be put into a travel group and invited by the CCAA 5-8 weeks later to travel to China to complete your adoption. We will provide you with the needed travel training. CCAI will arrange your group's travel, accommodations and adoption finalization in China. Your China trip will last fourteen to sixteen days.
6. Post Placement Support and Adoption Validation
After you return to the United States, CCAI will provide one year of post placement support to assist you with your adoption transition. Two post placement reports must be submitted by your Home Study agency to satisfy CCAA requirements. CCAI will provide necessary information to you concerning how to validate your finalized adoption through your local court, enable your adopted Chinese child to receive a U.S. birth certificate from your state, and obtain her/his Social Security card and citizenship, if necessary.
See www.chinesechildren.org for up to date information on timelines.
You can read more details about Alaina's timeline and Hudson's timeline.
The process to adopt a baby from China is not difficult, just time consuming. CCAI will give you a great Dossier Guide to follow. You will know exactly what to do next. Follow the directions, gather up your paperwork for your dossier, and CCAI does the rest.
Basic Steps and the timeline of the China adoption process
(Courtesy of Chinese Children Adoption International)
Application Approval to Travel:
26 Months
Application
Dossier
Dossier Review
Wait to Match
Match to Travel
Travel
5 working days
3-5 Months
9-11 working days
24 Months
5-8 Weeks
14-16 Days
There are benchmarks in every China adoption. To give you an idea of what is involved in a China adoption through CCAI, the following is a six-point summary that highlights the major steps and timeframe of the process. Because of the nature of international adoption, this timeframe can change during your adoption process, but CCAI is committed to keeping you informed of the current timeframe as you work toward your adopted child. Understanding the process and timeline now will enable you to be better prepared for this incredible journey that brings you and your child together.
1. CCAI Application for Adoption
Your application allows CCAI to screen your qualifications for a China adoption. From your application, we are able to determine whether or not you meet the requirements of our agency and the requirements of the various government entities that will be involved in your adoption- U.S. government, Chinese government, etc. If a family submits a complete and truthful application and is approved by CCAI, we commit to serving you through all the stages of a China adoption.
2. Compilation of Dossier Materials - 3-5 Months
Once your adoption application has been approved, you will begin to compile your adoption dossier. Your dossier is a collection of documents that report on various aspects of your life and represents you as adoptive parents to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), the Chinese government agency responsible for all international adoptions in China. This part of the adoption process often seems daunting to adoptive families, but it is important to remember that by following CCAI's copyrighted Adoption Dossier Guide, and getting help from our knowledgeable Dossier Team, over 7000 children have been successfully adopted.
You generate and compile many of the dossier documents on your own, but your dossier cannot be complete without your China Home Study Report and immigration approval from the USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services). The timeline for compiling your dossier is determined by how efficiently your Home Study agency and local USCIS office runs and how diligent you are when preparing your documents.
3. CCAI Dossier Review and Mail to China - 9-11 Days
Once you submit your completed dossier to CCAI, our Dossier Team will critically review your documents, bind your dossier, mount the pictures, and write an agency recommendation in Chinese. We will then send it to CCAI's China office via international Express Mail. Our Beijing representatives will hand-deliver it to the CCAA.
4. The Wait and CCAA Child Match - 24 Months
Every family considering China adoption must come to terms with the wait between dossier submission and child match. Please remember child match and travel timelines are controlled by the CCAA and are subject to change. The timeframe may lengthen or shorten while you are in process. Throughout the wait, families are encouraged to check in with CCAI regularly. We publish newsletters that help you stay informed about the current match timeline and also post frequent updates on our Web site. We maintain a library of books and resources at our office and are able to recommend relevant reading materials to families as they wait.
When it is your turn to be matched, the CCAA will match you with a child according to your qualifications and preferences as presented in your dossier. Your child's photos and translated physical examination report will be sent to you through CCAI.
5. Travel - 5-8 Weeks After Match
Once you sign and return your Child's Acceptance letter to CCAI, we will Express Mail it to the CCAA. You will be put into a travel group and invited by the CCAA 5-8 weeks later to travel to China to complete your adoption. We will provide you with the needed travel training. CCAI will arrange your group's travel, accommodations and adoption finalization in China. Your China trip will last fourteen to sixteen days.
6. Post Placement Support and Adoption Validation
After you return to the United States, CCAI will provide one year of post placement support to assist you with your adoption transition. Two post placement reports must be submitted by your Home Study agency to satisfy CCAA requirements. CCAI will provide necessary information to you concerning how to validate your finalized adoption through your local court, enable your adopted Chinese child to receive a U.S. birth certificate from your state, and obtain her/his Social Security card and citizenship, if necessary.
See www.chinesechildren.org for up to date information on timelines.
You can read more details about Alaina's timeline and Hudson's timeline.
Why are there so many babies in China?
Millions of baby girls and boys are abandoned each year in China. The Chinese government allows parents to have only one child. If the mother is found pregnant, they are fined a year's wage. If the first child is a girl, they will abandon her in a safe place with hopes of having a boy in the future. Sometimes, the couple will keep the baby girl until they have a baby boy, then abandon the first child. It's very important to have a son to carry on the family name. It is the son who takes care of his parents when they are old and will carry on the family business or farming. Thousands (95 percent girls) live in orphanages and foster homes in China. If a family already has a boy and they are pregnant with the second, they are not allowed to keep that child. If they do, they will be fined. The child will not be "registered" and will not be able to attend school or get jobs as an adult. Inasmuch as most Chinese adoptions involve girls, adopting a healthy boy is just as easy because of the one child policy. Many boys are waiting for parents to love them.
Millions of baby girls and boys are abandoned each year in China. The Chinese government allows parents to have only one child. If the mother is found pregnant, they are fined a year's wage. If the first child is a girl, they will abandon her in a safe place with hopes of having a boy in the future. Sometimes, the couple will keep the baby girl until they have a baby boy, then abandon the first child. It's very important to have a son to carry on the family name. It is the son who takes care of his parents when they are old and will carry on the family business or farming. Thousands (95 percent girls) live in orphanages and foster homes in China. If a family already has a boy and they are pregnant with the second, they are not allowed to keep that child. If they do, they will be fined. The child will not be "registered" and will not be able to attend school or get jobs as an adult. Inasmuch as most Chinese adoptions involve girls, adopting a healthy boy is just as easy because of the one child policy. Many boys are waiting for parents to love them.
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