How to Adopt from China
“I can see God’s hands all over our journey–from the very day we first spoke out loud about adopting a child. He placed a special person in our lives who led us to All God’s Children International. The agency ushered us step-by-step through the process–and helped prepare our hearts and minds for what was to come. It surprised me how much the people we worked with wanted to know us, wanted to celebrate with us, wanted to be friends with us! We’re just in awe at how the past 18 months have unfolded and feel so blessed to be Charlie’s parents.”
ADVOCACY EFFORTS
We meet with our partner in China each month. We remain fully committed to our families in the process of adopting from China. Our team recently participated in informational and advocacy meetings with the U.S. State Department and the National Council for Adoption.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
Our team recently invited all families in the process of adopting from China to a support call. We will continue to offer support calls and encourage families to reach out to the team any time they have questions or would like to talk.
PROGRAM UPDATES
We have not received any updates at this time, but we will reach out with any news as soon as we receive them.
CHINA ADOPTION OVERVIEW
*Please note we are not currently accepting new applications for families interested in our China adoption program. If you are interested in another adoption program, please contact our inquiry team.*
Since 1994, Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International has served orphaned children in China by elevating care and has placed over 800 Chinese orphans with their forever families.
We place children throughout China through China’s shared list of waiting children. As an International Adoption Agency, AGCI welcomes many returning families; 24% of China adoptions were returning AGCI families.
- Most children available for adoption are between 0-8 years old.
- 75% of children available for adoption are boys.
- Families adopting from our China adoption program can select the gender of their adopted child.
- China has grouped their waiting children into two categories:
- Special needs children. These children often have a single medical condition and are often between six months and 5 years old.
- Special focus children. These waiting children typically have more than one medical condition or a more complex health condition and their adoptions are sometimes expedited. Additionally, special focus orphans can be placed with adoptive families prior to dossier completion. These children are between six months and 14 years old.
- Timeframe: TBD. An updated timeline will be communicated when new applicants begin to be accepted again.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting kidsa
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM CHINA?
Age of Parents
Married couples and single women between the ages of 30-55 may adopt a child from China. There must be no more than 50 years difference between the youngest parent and the adopted child.
Marital Status
Couples married at least two years are welcome to adopt.
Children in Family
Couples with five or fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer children are welcome to adopt in China. Youngest child must be 3 or older at the time dossier is logged.
Income
Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per person including the adopted child. A single person seeking to adopt must have a positive net worth of at least $100,000 and married couples must have a positive net worth of at least $80,000.
Criminal History
Applicants cannot have a history of felonies and no more than two misdemeanors in their lifetime. Misdemeanors will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Medical History
Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life-threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case- by-case basis. Applicants must have a BMI of less than 40. Some applicants will need to complete a psychological evaluation.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM CHINA?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your program and address any potential challenges with you, your social worker, and our in-country staff.
U.S. AGENCY*: The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in both the United States and foreign country. Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state. federal, and international licensing and accreditations, communications and insurance.
PROGRAM FEE*: This fee provides care for orphans around the world and allows AGCI to provide the medical, emotional, spiritual, and developmental care that every child deserves.
POST-ADOPTION SERVICE: This fee allows us to provide post-adoption support services to your family and process post-adoption reports.
*If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
HOME STUDY REVIEW: All home studies will be reviewed by AGCI to ensure it meets all AGCI, USCIS, Hague, and sending country criteria. Home study and Post Adoption service fees are paid to your cooperating agency.
NON-AGCI HOME STUDY REVIEW: Any home study written by one of AGCI’s cooperating agencies will be reviewed by AGCI to ensure it meets all AGCI, USCIS, Hague and sending country criteria. Home study and Post Adoption service fees are paid to your cooperating agency.
CHINA COUNTRY FEES & EXPENSES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in China. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption.
Adoptive families have the option to make a voluntary orphanage donation. The donation amount is determined by the family and is paid directly to the orphanage after the adoption registration is completed in China.
ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES
Fee Disclosure: All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
“The thing I enjoyed most about working with AGCI was the relationships that I have gained through AGCI. I don’t mean just with other adopted families, but relationships with the directors and case managers and in country staff and anyone at all connected to our journey. I feel like AGCI does such a wonderful job cultivating those relationships. Even though I live in Illinois and have never met many of these people, I feel like I have gotten to know them so well during the whole process. And you don’t get that from other agencies. I know because I called many of them before deciding to choose AGCI and many didn’t even call me back. AGCI was prompt in returning calls and emails and scheduling meetings. Even during the longer waiting period when there wasn’t much to be done they would check in and just say, “hey, how’s it going?” and “we haven’t forgotten about you–we’re with you.’” –VanHolten Family
HOW TO ADOPT A CHILD FROM CHINA
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.STEP TWO
Once your dossier is registered, you will work with AGCI to identify a child and begin the referral process. Once the information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.STEP THREE
Once the CCCWA officially approves your family–-the CCCWA will then issue a travel approval to finalize your adoption!STEP FOUR
Parents travel to meet your child and finalize the adoption! In-country travel typically spans 12-14 days.STEP FIVE
Welcome home! AGCI and China require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 3, 6, 12, and 24-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. Then reports submitted yearly until your child turns 18 completed by the parents. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!CHINA ADOPTION TEAM
CHINA IN-COUNTRY TEAM
Our China in-country team consists of a wonderful individual – Susan. She works out of Beijing with the central authority, the CCCWA, to facilitate adoptions, assist with travel between appointments, and work directly with adoptive families. She has incredible compassion for helping unite vulnerable children with their forever families. You will also be supported by friendly, dedicated guides and drivers throughout your entire trip
IN ADDITION TO OUR CHINA ADOPTION PROGRAM, AGCI IS WORKING TO INTERVENE FOR ORPHANS IN CHINA THROUGH THOUGHTFUL PROGRAMS THAT HELP BUILD HAPPIER, HEALTHIER FAMILIES!
Provide
In the past year, 580 orphans received elevated care through AGCI’s holistic model of care, caretaker training, and facility improvements to orphanages.
POLICY
6,000 children in the Fujian province now have educated and equipped orphanage staff to determine their eligibility, care for their medical conditions, and facilitate their adoptions.
“God had a child that He knew was going to be for us. It’s kind of amazing because we were not open to cerebral palsy. That wasn’t on our list. When it came down to it, we were open to a lot more than we put down on the paper. Julia’s been such a blessing to us and she feels loved in our home and that’s the important thing.” –Joy and Justin Kobylka
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM CHINA!
