Most children referred for adoption are infant girls whom the Chinese government identifies as healthy. The youngest babies matched with adoptive families are between 8 and 15 months of age. Girls and boys up to 14 years are also in need of families.

When you're matched with a child, WACAP will give you a photo and other information that you can carefully review before deciding whether or not to adopt that child. WACAP respects your decision and works closely with the authorities in China to best represent your wishes.

China accepts couples who have been married at least two years and who are both at least 30 and younger than 50. For couples with prior divorces, the CCAA prefers a minimum of five years of marriage. The CCAA will consider applicants between the ages of 30 and 55 for children who are older or have special needs. You may have up to four children in your family under the age of 18, and the youngest child should be no younger than 12 months old. The CCAA may make exceptions to this policy for families adopting waiting children. Families must earn at least $10,000 in annual income for each family member, including the child to be adopted, and must have minimum net assets of $80,000.

The CCAA welcomes applicants who have received their high school diploma, its equivalent or higher, and have no history of arrest.

The CCAA has also implemented restrictions on the health of applicants.

A licensed adoption agency must perform an assessment of your family and home. WACAP conducts homestudies in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut and Alaska; in other states, we can give you the names of several licensed agencies.

WACAP staff will arrange your travel within China, and our representatives will meet you when you arrive and help you throughout your stay. At least one parent must travel to China for about 10 to 14 days to complete the adoption. Some states may require both parents to travel.

WACAP staff will prepare your documents to meet the Chinese government's standards for all adoptions. Required documents include the following:

• China-specific application letter
• Approved homestudy
• Certified birth certificate (2)
• Certified marriage certificate (2)
• Current passport for each spouse
• China-specific medical examination report
• China-specific criminal history check
• China-specific letter(s) of employment
• China-specific financial statement
• USCIS Immigration approval notice
• Photos
  
  

After your documents are registered in China, we estimate it will take approximately 36 months for the CCAA to match you with your child. Then, within six to 10 weeks, you can travel to China to meet your child and complete the adoption. The CCAA has advised us that the wait time for families of Chinese heritage may be shorter. Please keep in mind that although adoption agencies publish different wait times, all families adopting children from China, regardless of agency, will experience the same wait.

WACAP's fees are among the lowest of any international adoption agency. Consult our fee chart for details. Please if you have any questions about fees.

Are finances a barrier to adoption? U.S. families may receive a tax credit of up to $11,650 when they adopt a child. Find out about this and other sources of financial assistance.

WACAP’s Family Finders program seeks parents for children in China who have already been referred to us. When you adopt through Family Finders, the waiting period is often shorter, and you may be eligible for a fee reduction and loan.

Thinking about adopting a child from China? Thousands of children there need loving adoptive parents. Contact us for more information. Or download an application form. (You will need Adobe Reader to download the application. Please click on the link below to download this free software from Adobe.)

Every adoption is different. During the adoption process, you may be asked to supply more documents, comply with new policies or meet other requirements. Our staff will always do their best to keep you informed. See our China adoption FAQ for further details.

Check our news page for the latest update on adoption from China.