China

SPENCE-CHAPIN BEGAN WORKING IN CHINA IN 1992, and has placed more than 600 children since that time. China has a centralized, stable adoption system and Spence-Chapin has been consistently approved by the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA). Home to more than 1.3 billion people, China makes up one quarter of the world's population. It is a multi-religious country, where Mandarin is the official language. China has an incredibly rich history and many of its historical and cultural sights, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, are open and easily accessible to visitors. Due to its "One Child Policy" and the cultural imperative to raise a son, the majority of children in need of homes are girls and children with identified medical needs. Below is an overview of the requirements and restrictions concerning prospective adoptive parents for the traditional China adoption program.

Program Criteria

Married couples between 30 and 50 years old at the time of dossier submission to China. Applicants up to age 55 are eligible to adopt a Waiting Child.
Couples must be married for 2 years or, if previously divorced, 5 years. No more than two previous marriages are permitted.
No current medical conditions, chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, or severe deformities of applicants. Major surgeries and diseases over 10 years ago are likely to be accepted. Stable and mild conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and thyroid issues, managed with medication may be acceptable. Isolated surgeries that are not part of a larger health concern are generally allowed. Applicants must have a BMI of 40 or less. Medical issues will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
At least 2 years since treatment for mental health issues and/or use of psychotropic medication. Mental & emotional health history will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
No arrest history within the past 10 years, though very minor issues may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Net worth of at least $80,000, and at least one applicant must have stable employment with an annual household income of $10,000 per family member, including child.
No more than 5 children (including adopted child) under the age of 18 may be in the household.
Both applicants should have a high school diploma.

Children in Need of Homes

Girls from about 6 months old to school age are primarily in need of adoption. The youngest children generally arrive home around their first birthday. Most children are cared for in institutional settings, though foster care also exists.

Timing and Travel: From Application to Homecoming

Timing: The current wait for a referral after your dossier is sent to China is over four years and is expected to continue to gradually lengthen. At this time, it is not possible to predict the extent of the wait. Families of Chinese heritage may be expedited by the CCCWA. The wait for a referral is significantly less for applicants who adopt a Waiting Child.
Referral: At the time of referral, you will receive a photograph and medical report on the child who has been matched with your family.
Travel: Both members of a couple will travel to China approximately 2-4 months after acceptance of their referral, and may travel in a group with other adoptive families. Your child's adoption is finalized in China prior to returning home, and the trip is about 10-14 days. Families typically travel to Beijing, on to the capital of the Province where their child is living, and end the trip in Guangzhou. Families are fully escorted throughout the trip by Spence-Chapin's bilingual representatives.
Post Adoption: Upon returning home, your child will be an automatic citizen of the U.S., and you will receive a certificate of citizenship in the mail. CCCWA requires 6 reports over the 5 years following finalization. These reports are written by the social worker based on a face-to-face visit with your family. For out-of-state families, the local agency provides these. On-going support through Spence-Chapin's Adoption Resource Center is available throughout the lifetime of your family and is free for the first year of the adoption.

Families Outside of the NY/NJ Metro Area

Spence-Chapin welcomes families outside of our direct New York/New Jersey metropolitan service area to adopt through our program in China. Spence-Chapin collaborates with other reputable agencies around the U.S. For more information about networking and a list of Spence-Chapin Network Agencies, click on the link or contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150.

Humanitarian Aid to China

Spence-Chapin has a commitment to the children who are growing up in orphanages and may never know the benefit of a permanent family. Please click here to read about our Granny programs in China.

Cost Guidelines

There are several categories of fees and expenses that adoptive families should anticipate when considering an international adoption. For an explanation of these, please refer to the Understanding Fees and Expenses page. Included in these fees is a separate foreign country program fee which varies. For China it is $8,880.

Celebration for Children Adopted Internationally

Every year the agency hosts parties for Spence-Chapin families formed through international adoption. Families come together to celebrate with traditional food, crafts, and entertainment, which offers children an opportunity to explore their common heritage. For information about this year's celebration, please contact Spence-Chapin's Events Hotline at 212-360-0274.

CCAA website: http://www.china-ccaa.org/frames/index_unlogin_en.jsp

China's

Granny Program

A Granny at the Xi’an orphanage holds a child, providing the warm presence and individual touch that infants and toddlers need in order to thrive.

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