China Adoption: Special "Waiting Children"
Because more than 70% of the orphans in China are considered special needs, special families with big hearts are needed! These children’s conditions are due to mental or physical disabilities and can range from mild and correctable to more challenging special needs.
NOTE: If you are interested in considering our China Special Waiting Children program, please click below to find information on the initial procedures, the special needs assessment questionnaire, and the health insurance verification form. The questionnaire can be completed and submitted electronically or mailed along with the health insurance verification form.
Why Choose China’s Special “Waiting Children” Program?
- Children available are boys and girls between the ages of ten months to thirteen years of age, with special needs medical status
- Adoptive parents are required to be at least thirty years of age
- Ming Hua He is our International Adoption Coordinator
Location
The children come from various provinces in China
Reasons for Availability
Special needs infant boys and girls, abandoned shortly after birth, are taken to local orphanges and made available for adoption through The China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA)
Children’s Situation
The children live in well-run orphanages, some of which our staff have visited
Eligibility for Families
We have recently received new eligibility requirements from CCAA. Please visit our eligibility requirements page for details.
Average Process Time
The time from submitting your dossier to bringing your child home is an average of 8 to 12 months
Procedure
Families interested in this program will first submit the Special Needs Assessment. You will then submit a preliminary application to AAI, meet with a consultant for an International Adoption Awareness meeting, and then complete your formal application. After selecting a specific special needs child, a letter of intent package is sent to CCAA seeking approval to adopt. You will then complete your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier. Upon it’s completion, your dossier is sent to China to await your letter of acceptance and then travel notice. You then travel to China to bring your child home.
Travel
Prospective adoptive parents will take one trip lasting approximately two weeks. You will fly into Beijing, do some sight-seeing, and then several days later you will travel to the orphanage to meet your child. One or both parents may travel. Unlike the regular China program, you will likely travel individually rather than in groups of families. You will, of course, have a guide and driver with you every day while in China.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
