Adoption Voices

History

Family Requirements

About the Children

Adoption Process

Adoption Costs

China Adoption Laws

CCAA Document Processing UPDATE

Post-Adoption Services

Humanitarian Aid in China

Family Testimonial

Mentoring Program

Resources

The Dillon Benefit
 

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Family References

Contact China Program Director

Download an Adoption Application

Hague FAQ for New Adoptive Families

History

Sometimes called the "sleeping giant," the country of China, or The People's Republic of China as it is officially called, is one of the largest countries in the world with a burgeoning population of over a billion people. China has a rich heritage with a creative people who have produced not only classic literature, but also various inventions such as paper, gunpowder and the magnetic compass. 

Dillon International began placing children from the People's Republic of China with U.S. families in 1993.

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• Heterosexual married couples, with or without children, between the ages of 29.5 - 49 at the time of application, are eligible to adopt

  • Age exceptions may be made, on a case-by-case basis up to age 54, if adopting a waiting child

• Couples must be married for at least 2 years

• Second marriages must be a minimum of 4.5 years.  Prior agency approval will be needed for persons with more than 1 previous marriage. 

• No more than 15 years age difference between husband and wife

• Families may have no more than 4 children under the age of 18 living in their home to be eligible to adopt.  Exceptions may be made, on a case-by-case basis, if adopting a waiting child.

• A family must have a minimum annual income of $30,000 or $10,000 per family member or dependent including the child they are planning to adopt.

• A family must have net assets valued at $80,000 minimum.  (click to download CCAA's Certificate of Financial Status)

• Applicants should be in good mental, emotional and physical health with no serious illnesses of a chronic, debilitating and/or life-threatening nature.

• Applicants must have a body mass index (BMI) less than 40.  (click for BMI calculator)

• Applicants must have no arrests or alcohol-abuse related incidents in the previous 10 years.

• U.S. citizens in all 50 states are eligible to adopt from this program.

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• Children usually range in ages between 8-24 months upon arrival in the U.S.

• Primarily girls are available for adoption, but some boys are also available

• Families may also request to adopt older children or children with special needs through Dillon's China Waiting Child Program

• Minimal medical information is available on each child with only minor medical treatment available in the orphanage

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• Families complete a home study, apply for USCIS approval, and then submit their dossier for the Chinese government's approval.

• Wait time for a referral of a child is 36+ months from the date the family's dossier is logged in at the CCAA.  Families need to be prepared to complete a home study update and file for an extension of their USCIS approval during the course of their wait.  This wait time is based on current experience.  (The referral wait time has steadily increased over the past two years and will likely increase in the future.)

• Families travel within 6 - 11 weeks after accepting the assignment of their child.

• Families spend approximately 2 weeks in China to receive their child and complete their child's adoption.

• Families must travel to receive their child.  At least two adults must travel to receive the family's child.  

• Families are responsible for scheduling their own flight arrangements to and from China after Dillon International notifies them of their travel dates.

• All travel & lodging arrangements within China will be scheduled by Dillon International.

• Families will travel in small groups with a designated guide/translator who will assist them with the various steps in completing the adoption process.

• Families will have a couple of days in Beijing for rest, sightseeing and shopping before traveling to their child's province.

• Plan to receive your child soon after you arrive in your child's province.

• Families register their child's adoption in the U.S. after completing 2 post-placement visits with the family's caseworker, usually takes 6 months.

SPECIAL NOTE on US Citizenship:  If both parents travel to receive their child and complete the adoption in China, the child will become a U.S. citizen upon entering the United States.  If only one parent of a married couple travels to China, their child will become a U.S. citizen upon registration of the adoption in the United States and application for a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship.

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The government office with overall responsibility for adoptions in China is the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and specifically the China Centre of Adoption Affairs (CCAA).  In addition, Child Welfare Institutes (roughly the equivalent of orphanages), the Civil Affairs Bureau, Chinese government notary offices, and the Public Security Bureau are also involved. 

The laws and regulations regarding foreigners adopting children from the Peoples Republic of China may be found on the China Centre of Adoption Affairs website or by visiting the U.S. State Department's website.

Supplemental information: 
New Regulations for Adopting from The People's Republic of China - 4/27/07

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Specific fees are only due after a particular service has been rendered in the adoption process and are considered non-refundable after payment has been received.  All fees are subject to change and services are charged at the rate that is current at the time of billing.

ESTIMATED CHINA PROGRAM ADOPTION COST:  $21,995 - $25,290
(Estimate includes agency, international, and travel fees ONLY.)

Other fees and expenses families will incur during the adoption process include:

• home study and post-placement services,

• USCIS fees,

• refundable deposit,* and

• out-of-pocket expenses related to the family's state of residence and the country adopting from.  

Dillon International has relationships with licensed home study providers across the U.S. and can assist families living outside our service area in locating a licensed agency near them for these services.  For families living in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and southern California (counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial), Dillon International will provide their home study and post-placement services.  Dillon's home study & post-placement fees = $3,150 (in California slightly higher).

For a complete breakdown of expected fees and services for Dillon's China program, please see the Explanation of Fees and Services in Dillon's adoption application packet which can be downloaded from our website.

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*Each family adopting with Dillon International will also be required to pay a $500 Refundable Deposit which will be returned in a lump sum after the family provides Dillon with the following:
1) proof of a will
2) proof of their child's U.S. final adoption decree/ registration
3) copies of their child's in-country adoption documents (exception for Korea)
4) proof of their child's Social Security Number
5) proof of their child's U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
6) submission of all post-placement reports required by their child's birth country
Families must provide this documentation within three (3) years after their child arrives home in order to receive their refund.

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Dillon International understands how families with even the best "nerves of steel" can be put to the test during the adoption process.  With this in mind, we have created a Waiting Families Support Network for our China families. 

A group of our adoptive families, who have adopted children from China through Dillon International, have volunteered their time to be waiting families' "buddies."  This is a volunteer effort to match a Dillon China waiting family with another adoptive family to offer friendly advice, encouragement, or just an empathetic ear.

No one can understand the thrill of completing a dossier like another adoptive family who's been through the same process you are about to embark on!  Or the agony of that long wait for a referral!  Or the frantic dash to leave for the PRC once travel clearance has been granted!

We do our best to match families based on similarities, such as geographic location, previous children, single parents, age, etc.  And because this partnership is for YOU, the waiting family, you can have as little or as much interaction with your "buddy" family as you desire.

For more information on our Waiting Families Support Network or to volunteer to become a "buddy" family to one of our China waiting families, please email Dillon's China Case Manager.

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The following Dillon International families, who adopted from the People's Republic of China, would be glad to visit with you and answer your questions about their adoption experience through Dillon International.

Lisa @ 501.248.1145 or email Lisa            

Angela @ 562.431.4810 or email Angela                    

Patrice @ 305.596.1180 or email Patrice                         

Sharon @ 763.862.6030 or email Sharon    

Amy @ 330.882.0049 or email Amy                       
 

Family Adoption Videos
The Germans Adopt Girls from China

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• Dillon International believes that post-adoption support fosters an overall positive adoption experience for both adoptee and adoptive family

• Our long-term experience has shown us that adoptees develop a better sense of identity, purpose, and boost in their self-confidence from an understanding and appreciation of their birth heritage

• The agency provides a variety of activities and events to allow an adoptee and his/her family to celebrate his/her Chinese heritage

• For more information on specific Chinese heritage events and tours, visit the post-adoption section of Dillon's website

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• Smaller travel groups, therefore, families receive more individualized attention during their stay in the PRC

• Because of Dillon's smaller travel groups, families tend to receive their travel clearance more quickly

• Bi-lingual Dillon representatives meet each Dillon travel group at the airport and accompany Dillon families throughout their stay in China

• Families stay in luxury "five-star" hotels during their 12-14 day trip, which are accustomed to serving the needs of adoptive families traveling in a foreign country

• Dillon staff regularly travel to the PRC and are very familiar with the details of the trip; thus know how to prepare families so that their trip is as comfortable as possible with no surprises

• Excellent post-adoption support through our China Heritage Camp held annually for adoptees and their families and annual China Birthland Tour.

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