Adopting from Taiwan
Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.
The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
Contents
About Taiwan
In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. To learn more please read About Taiwan (The Country). To get very detailed information on Taiwan please read the Taiwan Travel Fact Sheet page.
Taiwan Adoption Alert
There have been multiple adoption alerts for Taiwan. To learn more please read the Taiwan Adoption Alert page.
Hague Convention Information
Taiwan is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F). To learn more please read about Taiwan and the Hague Convention.
Who Can Adopt
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet multiple requirements in order to adopt a child from Taiwan. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Taiwan.
Who Can Be Adopted
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Taiwan has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Taiwan.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
Children's Bureau (Er Tong Ju), Ministry of Interior
The Process
The process for adopting a child from Taiwan generally includes the following steps:
- Choose an adoption service provider
- Apply to be found eligible to adopt
- Be matched with a child
- File the Form I-600 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to initiate the Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) prior to filing an adoption case with the courts
- Adopt the child in Taiwan
- Receive final approval of your Form I-600
- Obtain visa and bring your child home
To learn more about this process please read about How to Adopt from Taiwan.
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Taiwan. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Taiwan.
After Adoption
What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some good places to start your support group search:
Child Welfare Information Gateway
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons
Contact Information
The American Institute in Taiwan
Consular Section Immigrant Visa Unit, 2nd Floor American Institute in Taiwan Number 7, Lane 134 Xin Yi Rd, Section 3 Taipei 106, Taiwan Tel: (886) 02-2162-2005 Fax: (886) 02-2162-2253 Email: aitadoptions@state.gov Internet: The American Institute in Taiwan
Child Welfare Bureau (Er Tong Ju), Ministry of Interior 7F, No. 503 Li-Ming Road, Section 2 Nantun, Taichung 408, R.O.C. Tel: (886-4) 2250-2850 Fax: (886-4) 2250-2903/2899 Email: dbi@cbi.gov.tw
Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representation Office (TECRO) in the United States
4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Tel: (202) 895-1800 Email: tecroinfodc@tecro-info.org
Taiwan also has offices (consulates) in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 Email: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS
For questions about filing a Form I-600A or I-600 petition:
National Benefits Center Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local) Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=taiwan