Q+A

How many Chinese children can overseas candidates adopt?

Overseas applicants are only allowed to adopt one child at a time, unless they want to adopt twins or siblings who live in the same welfare institution. Those who have already adopted one child can only adopt a second a year after the first. They have to go through the same procedure for each child.

What is the age limit for overseas applicants?

Normally, both husband and wife should be aged 30 to 50. For adoption of a child with special needs, parents should be at least 30 years of age and under 55.

Are there any restrictions on overseas applicants who already have children?

There should usually be fewer than five children aged less than 18 in the adopting family and the youngest should be older than 1 year, unless the child to be adopted has special needs.

Can foreigners with disabilities or gay people adopt Chinese children?

The CCAA will not assign prospective adoptive referrals to those with learning difficulties or mental health issues. For other disabilities, it depends on the family's condition. Gay people are disbarred from referral in China, because the country's marriage laws do not recognize the legality of same sex families.

Can overseas applicants with criminal records adopt Chinese children?

A person's criminal history plays an important part in the CCAA's assessment of whether they have the ability to raise and educate the children. In general, those with criminal records will not be referred. However, in some cases, those who have committed minor offences, but are otherwise law-abiding citizens may be considered.

(China Daily 08/28/2012 page6)