Return to F.C.C. home page Requirements for adopting a healthy infant child are quite simple: You must be at least 30 years old. Unlike many international adoption programs, China imposes a minimum age, and parents over 55 are no longer allowed to adopt. Singles can adopt and there are many singles in FCC who have adopted. However China has set up a strict quota of only 8% of all adoptions can be to single parents. This has led to waiting lists of two years or more for single parent 'slots'. Single parents may wish to consider other countries that allow single parent adoption. See the guide that can be ordered from the International Concerns Committee for Children for a current list of countries allowing single parents to adopt.
Adoption of a special needs childresults in much faster document processing in China as well as reduced fees. Some agencies will reduce their fees for SN children as well. The definition of special needs is presently under review in China; check with your agency to get further information about exactly what medical conditions will be considered as a "special needs" condition. government.
Special needs refers to a child with a diagnosed medical condition. The very large majority of the special needs fall into the minor or correctable class. An example of a minor condition would be a prominent birthmark, a correctable problem would be a simple cleft lip. Parents going into adoption from China who fall in the special needs category should do so with the clear understanding that the child that they adopt is quite likely to have a medical condition. This issue should be extensively discussed with your adoption agency before going ahead with a special needs adoption. You should be quite suspicious of an adoption agency that promises you a healthy child if you fall in the special needs category.