Adoption

Additional Information

Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult BCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions.

Questions

Specific questions regarding adoption in China may be addressed to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Beijing. You may also contact the Office of Children's Issues, SA-29, 2201 C Street, NW, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-2818, Tel: 1-888-407-4747 with specific questions.

Information is also available 24 hours a day from several sources

Office of Children's Issues - recorded information regarding changes in adoption procedures and general information, 1-888-407-4747.

State Department Visa Office - recorded information concerning immigrant visas for adoptive children, (202) 663-1225.

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security - recorded information for requesting immigrant visa application forms, 1-800-870-FORM (3676).

Internet

The Consular Affairs website contains international adoption information flyers and the International Adoptions brochure.  Also check out the BCIS website.

Consular Information Sheets

published by the State Department and available for every country in the world, providing information such as the location of the U.S. Embassy, health conditions, political situations, and crime reports. The information is available 24 hours a day by calling the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. The recordings are updated as new information becomes available, and are also accessible through the Internet web site, as above.

What to Bring for your New Baby

It is difficult to predict how long it may be necessary for you to remain in China with your adopted child. There are small grocery and sundry stores in major hotels in China. Nevertheless, not all western-style baby products are readily available in China. You may wish to consider bringing certain items with you. These might include:

• Plastic or cloth baby carrier
• Bottle nipples
• Disposable paper diapers
• Baby wipes
• Baby blankets
• Infant wear
• Thermos bottle, for hot water to prepare dry formula
• Milk bottles (plastic, glass, and disposable)
• Disposable plastic bags for milk bottles

Interested Americans should be aware that the process of adopting a child in the PRC (People's Republic of China) and bringing the child to the U.S. may be time-consuming and difficult. The Guangzhou Consulate staff strives to make the experience as relaxed as possible for the prospective adoptive parents and their children. The Consulate has a special interview and waiting area equipped with a changing table and other amenities.

The American Embassy, the Consulate generals, and the Department of State stand ready to assist adoptive parents in any way possible - within the limits of our authority. Because no private agencies exist in China to assist foreigners, U.S. citizens arriving in China to finalize an adoption are advised to proceed carefully with all PRC legal procedures. They should also work closely with the nearest U.S. diplomatic mission in China throughout the adoption process to ensure that the child selected will qualify for U.S. immigration benefits and that all the necessary PRC civil documents are in order.