What factors should I consider in making a decision to adopt from another country?

You must be able to accept the counties culture and have the patience to deal with possible frustrations of the inter-country adoption process, such as uncertain time frames and seemingly endless paperwork.

CHINA

Who are the children available for adoption from china?

Most children available for placement are girls between the age of 10–12 months at the time of referral. Only children processed by China’s central authority for international adoptions, the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) are available for international adoptions. The CCAA matches children with prospective adoptive parents whose Dossier has been approved by an agency and submitted to the CCAA by the provincial authority.

How long will I have to wait to adopt a child from China?

Because there is currently a very large backlog of applications in China that are waiting for children to become available, it is very difficult to give a credible estimate as to how long the wait from submission of an application to a child referral will be. Estimates in the China adoption community range from 4 to 7 years.

What is the cost of an  International adoption from China?

Costs are approximately $24,000 CAD.  Factors that may affect the cost include changes through CCAA and/or variable travel costs and expenses in China.

Can single people adopt from China?

The program is open to married couples of which both husband and wife are between 30 and 50 years old. The couple must have been married two years on application to China -- five years if either was previously divorced.

Why are there children available for adoption in China?

There is a lack of social acceptance of unwed mothers in China, so children are often abandoned without identifying information. China also has a one-child-per-family rule, and girls often are abandoned due to society’s preference for baby boys to carry on the family name. Children who are placed from China typically fall into one of three categories: They are abandoned, they are placed because their birthparents are incapable of providing for them, or they have lost their parents and are truly orphaned.  

Applicants do not have the option to choose a child, as the match is made by CCAA and then referred to the applicant.

How much information do we receive on the child?

The information that the applicants receive on the child comes with the child referral and includes the height, weight, date of birth, birthplace, health history and medical review, language and motor development and routine schedule among other background details.

Do we have to travel to China?

Yes, the Chinese government requires applicants travel to China in order for the adoption to be granted. 

When is the child legally mine?

The adoption is finalized before you leave China. Prior to finalization, the Canadian Embassy in China will require proof that you have applied for and obtained sponsorship for your child through Canada Customs and Immigration.

Yes, all Manitoba applicants must work through a licensed or mandated adoption agency.

What services does Adoption Options provide?

Adoption Options provides the Manitoba required education and homestudy components of the process. We also prepare and notarize the applicants’ Dossier and complete a number of other important administrative steps in the process to keep your file active and on track.  After your return from China, Adoption Options will do a minimum of two post-placement reports at six months and 12 months, and until such time as Citizenship is obtained for the child.

What is FOI and what services does FOI provide?

Family Outreach International (FOI) is a non-profit organization based in Ottawa that specializes in adoptions from China.  Adoption Options uses FOI for translating the Dossier and insuring that the Dossier goes to Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy.  FOI is also in charge of your travel to China, including booking tours, hotels and helping with Visas. An FOI representative will travel with you to China to finalize the adoption.

How long will I wait to adopt a child through Florida?

Adoption Options works with the licensed adoption agency,  Adoption By Shepherd Care (ASC).  At ASC it is the birthmother who chooses the adoptive family, we can not predict or guarantee when/if you will be chosen. 

What is the cost?

Costs are approximately $18,000.00 -  over $40,000  USD.  Additional factors that may affect the cost include travel costs and expenses while in Florida.

Can single people adopt from Florida?

The Program is open to married couples of which both husband and wife are between 25 and 50 years old.  The couple must have been married one year on application to ASC.

Can a birthmother change her mind and take the baby back?

According to Florida law, a birthmother may sign consents to adoption 48 hours after the birth of the child or upon the birthmother’s discharge from the hospital—whichever is sooner. There is no revocation period in the state of Florida, and a birthparent can revoke their consent only by proving fraud or duress in court proceedings. Birthfathers may sign papers consenting to the adoption at any time before or after the baby is born.

Will I have contact with the birthmother? How much?

Adoption by Shepherd Care supports a philosophy of semi-open adoption, which usually involves a meeting between the birthmother and adoptive family and the exchange of pictures and letters through the years. The meeting typically takes place after the birth of the child when the family travels to Florida. The family is then responsible for sending pictures and letters to the birthmother through Adoption Options, at regular intervals during the child’s first two years of life and then once yearly until the child is eighteen years old.

What will we know about the birthmother? Birthfather?

When you are chosen, an Adoption Options counsellor will contact you and provide you with a birthmothers medical and social history.  If the birthfather is involved, you  would also receive the same information on him.  If birthfather is not involved then the only information regarding him would be what birthmother has supplied.

Do we have to travel to Florida?

Yes, the adoptive family is required to travel to Florida.  After consents are signed and an emergency court hearing is held, usually 7-10 days after birth, the child will be placed with the adoptive family.  After placement ASC will initiate a series of steps required to allow the adoptive family to return to Canada.  The two main requirements during this time are the signed of the order by a judge and a "letter of no objection" from the Manitoba Government.  The family is require to stay in Florida until the order is signed by the judge (7-10 days), after which the adoptive family is free to travel within the United States but cannot return to Canada until all requirements are fulfilled.  Families should be prepared to be in the United States for a total of 2-3 weeks.

How long until the adoption is finalized?

The adoption will be finalized 6-9 months after placement.  The finalization will take place in a Florida court.  The adoptive family is not required to travel to Florida for this court date but they must be accessible by phone in case the Judge has questions they need to discuss with the adoptive family.

What is ASC?

Adoption By Shepherd Care (ASC) is a licensed adoption agency based out of Florida.  ASC works with birthmothers who are making an adoption plan for their child and loving couples who seek to become parents through adoption.  ASC was founded in 1980 and is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency which is accredited by the Hague Convention and the Council on Accreditation.

Do you have to use an adoption agency?

What Services does Adoption Options provide?

Adoption Options provides the required education and homestudy components of the process. We also prepare and notarize the applicants’ Dossier and complete a number of other important administrative steps in the process to keep your file active and on track.  After your return from Florida, Adoption Options will begin the required post placement report and supervisory visits during the 90 day supervisory period.

 

 

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