International Adoptions Guidelines

Each country has specific guidelines for adoptive parents to meet. Below you can find each country's requirements. Remember that rules are always changing, and may have since changed since this was written.

Remember to check the US travel warnings when considering international adoptions.

CHINA

  • Ages 30-57 at time of match
  • Children are 6 months to 6 years, healthy or with special needs
  • No requirement as to length of marriage
  • Single parents considered
  • Two week average travel time, but varies by province
  • Income minumum of $20,000 or $10,000 per family member
  • Aproximate time after dossier is 7-9 months for referal, 2-3 months for travel

ECUADOR

  • Ages for parents depend on number of members in the family, but generally under 40 for 0-2 children
  • Children are 1-10 years old, healthy or special needs
  • Minimum 3 years of marriage
  • 1 divorce each accepted
  • Single parents considered for older cihldren
  • Both parents for 2 weeks, then 1 parent for 1 week. Other choice is one trip for 5 to 6 weeks
  • For boys, up to 1 year until assignment; for girls 15-21 months until assignment; 5-8 months after child is accepted by couple for travel

GUATEMALA

  • Minimum 25 years old for children 1 year or less. No more than 40 (mother) or 43 (father) years between child and parents. Changes to 43 and 50 for children 2 years and over.
  • Children are 1-10 years old, healthy or with special needs
  • Minimum 5 years of marriage. If couple is over 35 years in age, then 3+ years of marriage.
  • 1 divorce each accepted
  • Single parents considered for children 1 year and older
  • Travel required for 1 parent for 1 week
  • Takes 12-15 months until assignment; 5-7 months after child is accepted by family

HONG KONG

  • Prefer no more than 45 years between parent and child
  • Children with minor to moderate special needs, 1-5 years of age
  • Minimum of 3 years of marriage with no previous divorce; 5 years if there is a divorce
  • 1 divorce each accepted
  • No single applicants
  • Escort a possibility
  • 7-12 months after dossier is sent to Hong Kong

INDIA

  • Generally up to 40 years between youngest parent and child
  • Mostly healthy 16 month to 8 year old children. Moderate special needs 12 months and up
  • Minimum 5 years of marriage, with applications accepted at 4 years
  • 1 divorce each, but will review special cases
  • No single applicants if other than Indian
  • Either 1 week travel, or escort
  • 2-6 months to assignment; 4-9 months for tavel after child is accepted by family

 

Table of Contents
1. International Adoption Guidelines
2. Adopting foreign children
 
 
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