Adopting a Child from China
The Parents Network >
Advice >
Adoption >
Adopting a Child from China
March 2006
We are considering adoption from China, and are hoping for some
specific feedback about several local agencies from people who
have used the agencies. We have checked the archives & have
additional questions about BAAS and ACCEPT.
How is the China facilitator that people work with locally for
BAAS? Is she easy to work with? What services does she
provide? Did you have to bring your dossier to the Chinese
Embassy yourself, or did she do that (we've heard conflicting
reports). How is the guide in China? Does she do more than
act as a translator & tour guide? What services does she
provide? Was she helpful? Did you feel taken care of, or on
your own regarding the final parts of the adoption process,
when you were in China?
What were peoples' experiences with ACCEPT? We have heard
wonderful things about Norman Niu, the China facilitator, but
have some concerns about the homestudy process at ACCEPT. Did
it seems as though you got useful information in the
homestudy? Does it make sense to do an online course rather
than to go to classes? Finally, how was it to travel in China
with such a large group?
annonymous
Most prospective adopters don't know to ask about this, but a problem
that plagues families after they return from China is the re-adoption
process. Counties in CA all interpret the family code laws in
different ways leaving a big black hole for some agencies to charge
exorbitant fees for this service. In Alameda County, I was able to
readopt my child without using an agency and it cost me all of
$20. The important thing to ask any agency BEFORE using them is if
they will give you your homestudy and any post-placement reports they
did. I know this seems like a small detail but it won't be when you're
ready to cross that bridge. If you'd like more details, feel free to
email me. kb
BAAS
was very good and personal. The adoption classes are excellent and the
travel was in small groups or single family. There was lots of personal
attention before and after the adoption. There was erroneous advice in the April
8 Berkeley Parents Network newsletter about having to readopt. There is no need
to readopt if the adoption is from China. The adoptions are completed in China.
the only legal paperwork in the US is if you want a birth certificate and that
requires a form and a motion in the county to register the birth. BAAS gives you
all the correct information on the process.
Juliet
Feb 2002
We have been thinking about adopting a baby from China, and I would like
to know about peoples' experience who have adopted from China. Did the
agency you went to specialize in Chinese adoptions? Did you like your
agency? How long did it take? Did it turn out about as you expected?
Thanks
About agencies for Chinese adoptions - there are several
good ones to choose from locally. I used BAAS and
recommend them. The staff are easy to work with (and
are all adoptive parents themselves), but the best thing
about BAAS is their China facilitator, Xiaoqing Cai.
My experience with them was excellent (with the exception
of a social worker who dragged her feet, but she no
longer works for BAAS). BAAS is kind of medium-sized,
and has several other programs in addition to their China
program.
A friend just adopted a baby girl from China using Bay Area Adoption
Services (BAAS), based in Mountain View, I believe. She was very, very
happy with them, although the process did take a few months more than
originally expected (this seems to be true of every adoption I have heard
of, regardless of the country). I know she did a lot of comparison shopping
before settling on BAAS. From what I understand BAAS kept her well informed
of the various setbacks, etc. and she felt they were doing everything they
could to speed her application through the channels. Good luck.
Sarah
We are currently using Heartsent Adoptions to do the
homestudy for our Guatemalan adoption. They specialize
in adoptions from Asian countries, so we are not using
them as our placement agency.
So far, I adore them. They are very responsive, helpful,
and have lots of experience helping families adopt from
China.
They can be reached at: 925-254-8883, and are located
in Orinda.
Good luck!
Michelle
I know of others who've worked with Heartsent in Orinda
and loved them (it's a very small agency, and anecdotally
it sounded as if their homestudy process was much faster).
Many others I know have worked with Americans Adopting
Orphans, and people swear by their facilitator, Norman
Niu (sp?). Rumors keep circulating that Norman may be
retiring, though, and that would be useful information
going in.
You can also go with one of the huge national agencies,
like Holt or CCAI. There is a big email list for prospective
and waiting China adoptive parents at Yahoo groups, called
adopt-parents-China, or APC. It's a mixed bag with a
real cross-section of people on it, with neurotics and
rumor-mongers out in force, so I would recommend taking
it in small doses, but you can research the archives
for agency recommendations there, too.
Good luck, and congratulations! This may be the best
decision you'll ever make!
Nancy
this page was last updated: Sep 7, 2011
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network