The Advantages:
Consistency In 1999, China surpassed Russia as the international destination from which most US parents adopt their children. China has established a structured system that leaves little room for surprises. Paperwork is predictable and manageable, and CCAI is able to offer concrete information on how to compile your paperwork successfully. Although the journey may seem long, the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) in Beijing processes qualified applicants and matches them with the children they desire in a fair, “first-in first-out” manner. It is a well known fact about China adoption that as long as you are qualified and are willing to wait, you WILL in the end get your child match and bring a beautiful child home.
Child’s Health Though they are abandoned after birth, these children usually are wanted while in their mother’s womb. Their parents are most likely hoping that circumstances will allow them to keep and raise their child. Therefore, birth mothers take good care of themselves and their unborn child in the hopes that they will have a life-long relationship. Women in China tend to live healthy lifestyles whether they are pregnant or not. Very few Chinese women smoke or drink. Because these children start out with a relatively clean bill of health at birth and have their basic needs met in the orphanage, adopted Chinese children in general tend to be free of long-term physical and mental issues. (For more information, please see “Who Are These Precious Children” in this packet.) Of course, many children with known physical conditions are also available for international adoption.
Through our Waiting Child Program, an interested, qualified and well-prepared adoptive family can bring home a child with an identified medical condition on a comparatively faster timeline.
Abandonment Children placed through China adoption are abandoned children. Because child abandonment is illegal in China, birth parents leave no trace of their identity. At the time of your child match, China will provide you with a thorough physical examination report, background report, developmental report, as well as color pictures of the child they match to you. During your trip to China, you receive a certificate of abandonment that proves the biological parents have relinquished their parental rights through abandonment. There is no legal avenue for the birth parents to reclaim custody.
Travel Families travel only one time to China, for an average of 14 to 16 days. There is no need for multiple trips, and there are seldom circumstances that cause families to stay longer than expected. At least one parent must travel to China to finalize the adoption, but CCAI recommends that both parents make the trip. Accommodations, transportation and adoption appointments are all finalized before families arrive in China. Families will always be with a CCAI representative who speaks English, Mandarin and the local dialect of their child’s region.
Cost China adoption is widely considered the most affordable adoption program available, and fees and expenses are known well in advance. When working with a reputable agency like CCAI, which has a high standard of financial integrity and professional ethics, families never need to worry about hidden charges or last-minute surprises. For more information, please see “Adoption Expenses by Chronology” in this packet.
The Major Disadvantage:
Wait Time While China remains a stable option for international adoption and places more children than any other country, the current extensive wait time between submission of the dossier to China and child match can be a deterrent to many families. Right now, China adoption is not a “fast” way to expand your family. However, if your heart lies with China and you value the outcome-certainty of a successful, established adoption program, then China adoption remains an excellent choice.
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