When it comes to expanding the family, adoption is an option often considered by families for various reasons. While many foreign couples consider the adoption of a Chinese baby, few realise how the process works and end up frustrated as a result. The process is lengthy, but it is not impossible to successfully adopt a Chinese baby as a foreign couple.

Adoption: the A to Z

The first thing that you have to decide is whether you really want to commit to interracial adoption. It can get complicated, especially as the child gets older and questions of identity begin to creep up, so you have to be completely sure that this is what you want. Yes? Good. The Chinese government only accepts applications that are submitted through registered adoption agencies, so your first step is to find one that suits your particular needs through the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA), the government agency mandated to deal with adoptions.

There are eight forms to fill in and submit. These include the adoption letter, birth certificates of prospective parents, marriage certificate, financial records and status certificate, physical examination certificate, criminal record certificate, written approval of the adoption from your own government and a home study report. Because of the government's dedication to setting children up in environments where they can truly reach their potential, perhaps the most important of these documents is the home study report, which, through interviews, determines the couple and family's ability to provide a loving, supportive home. Once the documents are completed, they will be submitted by the chosen adoption agency and the service payment – a cost which varies depending on agency and CCAA charges – made to the CCAA. Then, the waiting begins.

For prospective adoptive parents, this might be the most difficult part of the process because there is no set waiting period; some adoptions have been known to take two years, while others have taken less than a year. The waiting period is determined by the CCAA's success in finding a suitable child to match the adoptive family. Once the CCAA finds a match, they will convey this information to the involved agency, family and home government of the family. Once all parties formally agree on the suggestion given by the CCAA, a Notice of Foreign-related Adoption will be issued to the local authority where the adopted child lives. The couple will then be invited via another notice to travel to the child's city of residence in order to finalise the adoption formalities with the local authorities there, after which the adoption will be registered.

Not-so-fine-print: conditions of adoption

Foreigners can only adopt one child at a time, with the exception of adopting siblings or twins. Foreign families who have previously successfully adopted children may adopt a second child after one year of adopting the first child, by using the same process. The adoption of special needs children is encouraged and prioritised, as these children are often in need of immediate attention.

By law, not everyone is allowed to adopt, however. Homosexuals are not allowed to adopt children in China, regardless of whether they are citizens or foreigners. Single mothers may adopt – but only special needs children, and the only exception for single father adoption is for the adoption of a step child or for the adoption of an orphaned relative. Additionally, potential adoptive parents may only be between the ages of 30 and 50 – with the age limit of special needs adoption being 55. Prospective adoption parents who are disabled may apply for adoption on condition that their disability does not hinder them in their role as parents.

A personal perspective: maintaining culture

While a lot of adoptive parents are foreign Chinese, many non-Chinese foreign families choose to adopt Chinese children, and that itself can come with difficult to navigate circumstances. Marian Lewis* is one such foreigner. Having already had two biological children, she and her husband chose to expand their family by looking towards China for their new addition. "After visiting and volunteering in China as a couple, we decided that we wanted to help at least one child and make a difference in their lives. It wasn't a difficult decision for us to make, because we already come from multi-racial families. What was more difficult," she explained, "was figuring out how we would explain to our daughter how she landed up in our family". Lewis says that they didn't want their daughter to feel unwanted or alienated from her culture.

She said, "As people, we don't exist on our own. We all need love and affection, but also, we feel the need to belong and to have an identity." As a result, the Lewis family had raised their three children back in the U.S, while maintaining close contact with their local Chinese community. Recognising that this approach was not enough for their daughter to truly have roots in her own country, the Lewis' moved to a Chinese city three years ago, where all three of their children have been attending local schools.

For more information regarding the adoption process for foreigners in China, take a look at the CCAA's website.

*Not her real name

Related links
The Challenge of Raising Dual Culture Kids in China
Orphans of the State: The Story Behind Chinese Overseas Adoption
Is it Time for Adoption Reform in China?

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