adopting from hong kong
Introduction
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
The Hong Kong program is a great choice for families living in Washington, Oregon and Alaska who are open to children with special needs and to a wide range of ages. The Hong Kong adoption program requires families to have a completed home study before being matched with a child.
All adoptions from Hong Kong are completed in accordance with the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption. The U.S. Department of State also provides information on this program on their website.
Hong Kong has a very active domestic adoption culture. However, finding adoptive families within Hong Kong for children with moderate or severe special needs or older children has been a challenge. Children who cannot find adoptive parents domestically are available for intercountry adoption.
Generally, children in care are in higher quality of care than other countries and families receive much more detailed information about the child and their history. This information often includes detailed information about the child's birth parents.
Agape Adoptions hosts monthly virtual information meetings for those interested in adopting through our programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
Adoptive families will have guardianship of their child until the adoption is finalized. In the interim, Agape Adoptions is required to maintain legal custody. Therefore, we can only place children with families who reside in states in which the agency is licensed for homestudy and post placement services: Alaska, Washington and Oregon.
Age
All applicants must be at least 25 years old. Applicants older than 50 years of age are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Marriage Status
If married, a stable relationship of three years (five years if either of the couple has been divorced). Single applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Criminal History
No criminal record
Health Conditions
Good physical and mental health to raise a child (confirmed by medical examination)
Income
Stable and sufficient education, employment, financial resources and accommodations.
Children in the Home
Families with five or more children are considered on a case-by-case basis
Other Requirements
A strong desire to be a parent and to make a permanent commitment to a child.
Strong family relationships.
About the Children
Eligibility Requirements
About the Children
Due to the adoption process in Hong Kong there is only small pool of waiting children and very few placements from Hong Kong each year. Since 2015, no more than 20 children have been adopted from Hong Kong to the United States a year (US Dept of State).
Boys and girls up to 14 years old
Toddlers and older children with special needs.
Waiting children in Hong Kong will have moderate to severe special needs. Sibling groups are rare.
"Adoptive mom Felicia, shares her family’s story of adopting two brothers from Hong Kong. Her story shows us the beauty of a sibling adoption." Click HERE to read.
adopting from hong kong
Process and Timeline
Adopting a child from Hong Kong requires flexibility with several approval milestones.
Screening and referral process can take 2-3 months
Hong Kong utilizes a family selection process, meaning that a number of families can be presented to determine the best family for that child. Depending on the number of families presented for a specific child, families may not be selected and should anticipate being presented to the adoption selection committee a number of times before being chosen. Families are often asked for additional information during the family selection process.
Official match and referral process averages 3-6 months
Once a family has been selected for a child, there are several additional approval steps; it is not uncommon for the adoption authorities to request additional information.
Travel
Once a family is selected and matched with a child, it takes approximately 12-15 months until the family is ready to travel and complete the adoption.
Entire process can take between 18-24 months.
Travel & Bonding Period; Post-Adoption Requirements
Travel and Bonding Period
One trip of seven (7) days, both parents must travel. Hong Kong prefers that only parents travel (no other children) due to the fast paced nature of the week in Hong Kong.
Post-Adoption Requirements
Reports due at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Additional reports required every 6 months until the adoption is finalized.
Contact visits for WA state families are required monthly until the adoption is finalized.
Fees
Fees
Families should budget approximately
$21,000 to $25,000 to cover the costs of completing an adoption from Hong Kong, which includes travel fees.
Agape Adoptions can provide a detailed fee schedule via email.
Families working with Agape Adoptions will be able to utilize the services of Your Adoption Finance Coach to help with funding your adoption.