Country Guidelines – USA
Parents Qualification: Singles and couples may adopt through the USA. You must be at least 21 years of age. There is technically no age limit.
Singles and couples wishing to adopt through the US Foster Care System will attend several educational classes, and then work with a social worker to be matched with an available child/sibling-set.
Travel: Travel is dependent on the residing state of the adoptive parent and the child being adopted. Adoptive parents may choose to arrive may be required to stay in the state of birth for about 7- 10 days.
Country Guidelines – CHINA
Married Couple Guidelines:
- Couples married a minimum of two years (minimum of five years if there is a history of divorce)
- In the case of a married couple, if one spouse has one divorce, the couple must be married for at least two years. If there is a history of more than one divorce, the couple must be married at least five years. There can be no more than two divorces per spouse. Time spent living together as a couple can be counted towards the length requirement
- The youngest child in the home must be at least 3 years old.
- There can be no more than 5 minor children in the home.
- For both married and single cases, the age between child and one parent can be no more than 50 years, and the minimum age to adopt is 30 years old.
- There must be at least one year between adoptions
- Potential parents are not permitted to adopt two unrelated children at one time.
- If there is a history of cancer, PAP must be cancer free for three years, if the cancer was of skin, thyroid, breast, or testicular; or five years, for any other cancer type.
- No serious physical health diagnosis (BMI must be no greater than 40; inquire about history of major surgery, vision/hearing impairments, mobility limitations, chronic or long-term health diagnoses)
- No mental health diagnosis (inquire about mental health including mild depression, anxiety or similarly mild conditions)
- No history of drug use or dependency; where there is a history of alcohol abuse, consideration given for individuals with 10 or more years of alcohol-free lifestyle
- Minimal criminal history
- Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum annual income of $30,000 + $10,000 per each child currently living in home.
- Minimum net worth of $80,000
Single Women Guidelines:
- Must have at least a one-year interval since previous adoption;
- May only have 2 children living at home.
- May be up to 50 years older than the child.
- The youngest child in the home must be at least 3 years old.
- Single women may adopt, but may not be in a same-sex relationship.
- Net family worth of a single adoption must reach at least $100,000.
· Have no more than two children under 18 years of age in the home, and the youngest child must be at least 6 years of age;
· Be able to appoint appropriate male role models for the adopted child;
· Have a strong social and family network to support applicant and adopted child(ren)
· Be willing and able to attest in writing to her sexual orientation as non-homosexual, in order to satisfy CCAA’s requirements which do not allow gay or lesbian individuals to adopt from China;
· Submit divorce decree in case of having a history of divorce or death certificate for deceased husband where applicable;
· Have no criminal record;
· Have a minimum annual income of $30,000 with net assets valuing at least $100,000;
· Have good medical insurance which will cover the medical expenses of the adopted child;
· Applicants with successful experience caring for children with special needs are preferred.
At least one parent must travel to China to complete the adoption. Travel time is most often 10-14 days.
Timeline: From dossier completion until travel is :
About 8-12 months for a special needs child.
We have had members who have completed the entire adoption process (including the home study) from 7 ½ months – 10 months. The average is around a year to 15 months.
For more information about China's new changes, please visit:
http://www.rainbowkids.com/adoption-stories/new-rules-to-adopt-from-china-2042
Adoption from Bulgaria – Overview
Singles or Couples may adopt.
No more than 45 years between parent and child.
Two trips are required.
Great flexibility regarding children with special needs.
Adoption from Russia - overview UNABLE TO ADOPT FROM RUSSIA AT THIS PRESENT TIME.
Adoption from Ukraine - Overview
Married couples only. No household size limit.
There are no upper age restrictions for adoptive parents, although one parent must be a minimum of 15 years older than the child.
Timeline: around 7 months, if paperwork is done efficiently.
May adopt multiple unrelated children.
Two trips are necessary, or parents can consolidate it into one trip of a 5 –6 week stay.
Please be aware of the political unrest that is currently going on in Ukraine. The situation is fluid and ongoing. Some regions have occupied government buildings and the adoption process in these areas may be temporarily closed. The children in these regions have been placed 'On Hold' on our website until the region reopen to adoption. It is our hope that these regions will reopen very soon. The US State Department has issued a travel warning for Ukraine and it is up to each family to decide for themselves if they are comfortable beginning an adoption and traveling to Ukraine at this time. More information regarding the travel warning can be found here:
Adoption from Latvia - Overview
Married couples or single women. No minimum length of marriage requirement.
Parents should be between 25 to 50. There is some flexibility.
Two trips are required.
Adoption from Colombia - Overview
Parent requirements vary by age of parents. Parents should be 25-38 years of age for children 0-35 months; 39-41 years for children 36-59 months; 42-44 years for children 60-83 months; and 45+ for children 84 months (7 years) and older. There is no upper age limit set for waiting children.
Single male and female applicants are accepted for children with special needs.
One previous divorce per applicant is acceptable. Couples should be married 1 or more years.
Both parents must travel to Colombia (if a couple) for the first two weeks; one parent must remain in country and care for your child/children while the court prepares for adoption finalization; the entire process is generally complete in 4-8 weeks.
