China adoption: still time to get in before May 1 deadline?
sfswimgal asked:
My husband and I are interested in adopting a baby girl from China. For a variety of reasons, we will not qualify as adoptive parents under the changing China adoption laws that go into effect on May 1st.
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My husband and I are interested in adopting a baby girl from China. For a variety of reasons, we will not qualify as adoptive parents under the changing China adoption laws that go into effect on May 1st.
My question is: do we have time to start the adoption process (haven’t done anything yet!) and get our dossier/information in before the May 1st deadline? Or are we already too late because this process takes longer than that?
Also, my husband is Chinese-American (grandparents were from China). Will this result in expedited adoption or other benefits? I assume the May 1st regulations still apply to us but would be curious if anyone has any insights.
Where do we start?
August 27th, 2010 at 12:06 am
I’d still give it a try. good luck proud mamma
August 28th, 2010 at 3:40 am
If you don’t know where to start I think it is too late, I have several friends that have adopted and it take s a long time just to get through the US regulations, at least a year I think, the US govt. has to do all kinds of home studies and test and tons of other things, being Chinese American will not make a difference, but maybe if you start it will make a difference with the new rules, get the process started now and maybe you will not fall under the new restrictions, check out website below, this guy has adopted at least two Chinese girls and helps other adopt from all over the world Mr. W
August 28th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Contact an adoption agency that specializes in International Adoption. They can make the best suggestions for you and what they might be able to do for you.
You indicated that your husband is a Chinese-American, be sure to mention this to the adoption agency as well. Perhaps there is something in place for people with Chinese heritage to be able to adopt a child without the guidelines that China is going to impose. It’s worth asking the questions.
Good luck to you. BPD Wife
August 30th, 2010 at 11:45 am
I haven’t adopted from China but Contact the CCAA They will be able to help you out for sure and I think that because you husband is Chinese American you can get expedited but I’m not sure. Also try the Chinese Embassy Website And here is the E-mail I wish you all the Best and Hope you will be able to adopt from China.
Mom to 3 Angels from Vietnam and Kazastan GraceAndThuysMom
September 1st, 2010 at 2:09 am
Hi. My wife and I have just started the process of adopting from China. Fortunately, we still meet the criteria despite the changes. However, in the case of the Body Mass Index Requirement of 40 or less, I just barely would squeak in at the 35-37 range.
If your issue is on health requirements, sometimes your doctors will “fudge” on some issues like classifications on surgeries and things like that.
What I have heard, although I can’t remember the source, is that if you have started the process, you would be grandfathered in. At what stage you have to be in at that point, I’m not sure. However, time is quickly passing.
The wait right now is about 18 months (after all of your paperwork is in), which seems to indicate to me that maybe a lot of folks have “rushed the market” to get into the system. It had been about half that.
We’re using “Great Wall China Adoption” who focuses only on China. If anyone would know, they would. or 1-888-GW-Family. chrisandsharon
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
This will be very difficult, but is mathematically possible depending on where you live. In the next few days you would need to find a home study provider and have a home study written. This process normally takes a couple of months, but if your social worker does nothing but spend the next two days on it, it is possible.
One of the requirements for a home study is a child abuse registry background check. Some states turn these around instantly, others can take months. You will also need a letter from your doctor. Again, not always possible to obtain in a few days. Most of the other documents are easy/fast to obtain.
Your home study, birth certificates, and marriage license must be turned in to US Immigration. Your immigration office must be able to process these and approve you by about April 15th. Some US Immigration offices are providing expedited service, others are not. It all depends on where you live.
Between now and April 15th you will have to spend a lot of time on other paperwork.
It can be done, but it will be very difficult at this late stage. Our agency has about 30 families trying to beat the deadline, One family just started a month ago, and I think they will barely make it.
Call me if you have any questions.
David B. Ptasnik,
Director,
Americans Adopting Orphans,
1-800-4-ORPHANS David P