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Who Can Be Adopted from China

The Gobi Desert.
Source: wikipedi.org.

Because China is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from China must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that China attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to China's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.

Age Requirements:

Chinese law allows for the adoption of children up to and including age 13; children ages 14 and up may not be adopted.


Waiting Period:

It is hard to predict with certainty how much time is required to complete an adoption in China. The time frames provided in this flyer are intended as guidelines only, and the specific circumstances of each case could affect significantly how long the process takes. Recent experience indicates that waiting periods are approximately 54 months from the time a U.S. adoption agency submits the paperwork of the prospective adopter to CCCWA until the CCCWA gives the prospective adoptive parent(s) their initial referral. Cases involving children with special needs are generally shorter.


After the referral is sent and the prospective parent(s) accept the referral (see the step-by-step description of the Chinese adoption process, below), at least four to eight more weeks may elapse before the prospective adoptive parents receive the CCCWA's final approval to travel to China.


Families should allow at least two weeks in China to finalize their child's adoption and immigration procedures. The CCCWA has advised local officials to try to complete the process within 15 days after the prospective parents arrive in China. The child's Chinese passport, exit permits, and U.S. immigrant visa process will take another 7-10 days after the adoption is finalized.

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