Between mailing your dossier to China and receiving a child's information, we estimate the wait will be approximately 36 months. You can expect to travel to China to meet your child about six to 10 weeks later. Your waiting time also depends on how fast you gather the necessary documents for your dossier. In addition, based on CCAA practices, application processing will be expedited when a family is adopting a waiting child.

China accepts couples who have been married at least two years and who are both between the ages of 30 and 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.

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. Families seeking to adopt twins and siblings are approved on a case-by-case basis. Applicants over the age of 45 may request a child as young as 12 months, but should be open to a child up to 18 months. In the past year, WACAP applicants between 45 and 50 years old were matched with children from 10 to 18 months old.

WACAP is not limited to working within certain areas; we have placed children from many orphanages located in different provinces. You may, however, make specific requests for a child from a specific province or orphanage. Most children adopted from China are abandoned and live in orphanages known as "welfare institutions." There are a few orphanages where foster care is available, but foster care in China may be more like a small group-home care setting.

Items that can take time to obtain are the USCIS paperwork, passports and certified copies of birth and marriage certificates. After you've applied, WACAP will give you a complete list of required documents.

WACAP has been working with the CCAA since its very inception, and has worked in China since 1990. Thanks to our long history with adoptions in China, we're experienced and familiar with adoption officials and the conditions of children who need families. Our director of China development has communicated directly with the CCAA officials multiple times per week since 1995. We established a children’s therapy center in China, which serves as a model for future facilities.

WACAP combines its deep experience with a commitment to supporting adoptive parents through every step in their adoptions. We have reference families available upon request to help inquiring families explore the adoption experience through WACAP.

WACAP families usually travel in groups, and a travel representative chosen by WACAP will help you in China. The average stay is 10 to 14 days.

Local Chinese authorities submit a medical report for each child registered for adoption. When you're matched with a child, you'll receive a copy of this report, along with the child's photograph. The medical reports contain limited, basic information concerning the child's general health status. Sometimes there will be a short paragraph about growth and development. You may request more information before deciding whether to accept a child.

WACAP will share all information we receive from the CCAA, even if the child has no known medical concerns. There are always risks of infectious diseases and undiagnosed conditions. We'll try our best to obtain information, but that's not always possible, or it might take a while. Talk with a pediatrician or medical provider about these illnesses and learn as much as possible.