Illinois China Adoption Eligilbility

Eligibility Requirements for a China Adoption

Because the China Center of for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA) serves as the central authority overseeing China adoptions, eligibility requirements for our program are set by CCCWA. Sunny Ridge is mandated to adhere to these requirements. Therefore, families must meet these guidelines to qualify for a China adoption.

Families are responsible and obligated to provide full and honest disclosure during the application process. The China adoption program is currently open to married couples. Below are the China program eligibility requirements.

Age requirements of parents Married couples ages 30 to 50 are eligible to adopt a child with no known medical conditions. Married couples ages 30 to 55 are eligible to adopt a child with a known medical condition.

Parental Age and Children Placed Couples 30 to 45 are eligible to adopt a child 18 months and younger. Couples 46 to 50 are eligible to adopt a child 18 months or older. All families are qualified for a child older than the above-mentioned age range or a child with a medical condition, if desired.

Education Requirements Both parents need to have a high school education or vocational school equivalent.

Income Requirements The average income requirement for China is $10,000 per person in the household. Families must earn a base of $20,000, plus $10,000 for each additional person in the household, including the future adopted child. For example, a married couple with no children living in the home needs to earn at least $30,000 to adopt from China. Family net worth must be a minimum of $80,000.

Marriage Requirements A couple must be married a minimum of two years, if this is their first marriage. For second marriages, couples must be married a minimum of five years to be eligible to adopt. No applicant may have had more than two divorces.

Children in Home Families with children in the home, either biological or adopted, from current or previous marriage, are eligible. The maximum number of children already in the home is four. If there are more than four in the home, parents may adopt a child with special medical needs.

Citizenship Requirements US Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that at least one parent be a United States citizen.

Health Requirements Both applicants must be in good physical and mental condition necessary to provide responsible care for an adopted child. Both applicants must have a body mass index (BMI) under 40. What's BMI? Applicants should have no significant medical condition which would impact their long-term ability to parent.
According to CCCWA, families are not eligible to adopt if any of the following apply:

• Diagnosed with alcoholism within the last 10 years
• Any surgery within one year of dossier submission
• Major organ transplant/surgery within 10 years
• One or both parents use a wheelchair or mobility aid
• Diagnosis of cancer
• Binocular blindness
• Active Hepatitis A, B, or C
• One or both parents have a seizure disorder

Please contact Sunny Ridge if you have a question regarding your situation.

Mental Health Requirements If any applicant is currently taking any medication for depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia, the applicant is not eligible to apply. If the medications were taken in the past, the applicant must have been off the medication for at least two years at the time the dossier is submitted to the China Center of for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA).

Criminal History Applicants must have no criminal record or alcohol abuse within the past 10 years. Neither applicant may have committed any acts of domestic violence, sexual abuse or child abuse. Applicants must have no history of illegal drug use. Any other criminal charges are reviewed on case-by-case basis. Please contact Sunny Ridge for a personal consultation.