Basic Steps and Timeline

A Waiting Child adoption currently takes at least nine to ten months from application approval to travel. However, each family’s timeline will depend on the point in their adoption process at which they accept their Waiting Child, whether at application or long after the dossier has gone to China.

Where do we start?

No matter where you are in the adoption process…
	Complete and submit the Medical Conditions Checklist.
	If you do not have an application on file with CCAI, complete and submit the Waiting Child Family Information Sheet along with your Medical Conditions Checklist.
	Discuss the possibility of accepting a Waiting Child with your social worker.
	Do your research! Consult with your pediatrician and medical specialists in your area. What resources are available for the special need(s) you are considering?
	When CCAI receives a list of Waiting Children, you will be contacted if an avilable child meets your requests and preferences. Currently it takes CCAI approximately eight to ten months to match families, depending on an individual family's openness.  Information on a limited number of available Waiting Children is also accessible by clicking on "Child Profiles" to the left of this page.

When a specific child touches your heart…
	Complete and return to CCAI the Letter of Intent to Adopt a Special Needs Child, the Preliminary Assessment for a Special Needs Adoption, the Waiting Child Service Agreement Amendment, family and passport photos, AND
	If you do not have an application on file with CCAI, complete and submit CCAI’s Application for Adoption.	5 Business Days
	CCAI will then forward your Letter of Intent to the CCAA on your behalf. The CCAA will evaluate your family’s information based on the information contained in your Application or your Waiting Child Family Information Sheet and issue your family permission to submit a dossier to adopt the specific child your family is requesting. This is the point at which you officially enter the Waiting Child adoption process.	Up to 2 Months
	If not already in process, begin working on your Dossier.	Approx. 5 Months
	If your dossier is already in China, submit to the CCAA a notarized home study addendum.  Save another original to hand-carry to China!	As Soon as Possible

	The CCAA will evaluate your family’s information and issue your family a Travel Approval.	3 - 4 Months
	Travel to China                      Following Travel Approval,	2 - 4 weeks
	Meet your new child and finalize your adoption in China!	14 - 16 Days