NOTICE OF STANDARDIZATION OF ADOPTION APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION PRESENTED BY FOREIGN ADOPTION APPLICANTS

In accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Adoption Law of the People’s Republic of China" and the "Implementation Measures on the Adoption of Children by Foreigners in the People’s Republic of China," the requirements concerning applications and accompanying documentation submitted by foreign adoption applicants to the China Center of Adoption Affairs are as follows:

A. The following documents should be submitted:

1. Adoption Application;

2. Birth Certificate;

3. Marital Status Certificate;

4. Certificates of Profession, Income and Property;

5. Health Examination Certificate;

6. Certificate of Criminal or No-criminal Record;

7. Home Study Report;

8. Certificate of Child Adoption Approval by the competent department of the adopter’s country of constant residence;

9. Copy of Applicant’s Passport.

The above-mentioned documents, except for the copy of the applicant’s passport, should be notarized by the notary public or notary agency of the adopter’s country of constant residence and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the agency authorized by the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the country of the adopter’s constant residence, and by the Embassy or Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in the country concerned.

In addition, each adoption applicant should also submit two full-faced photos and several other photos reflecting the family’s life.

B. Specific contents of the eight required documents are as follows:

1. Adoption Application:

• Name, date of birth, birth place and nationality of the applicant(s);
• Reasons for adoption;
• A statement of intent to adopt a Chinese child, as well as any requests or requirements regarding the child to be adopted;
• The adopter should promise not to abandon or abuse the adopted child, promise that the adopted child will enjoy the same rights as their own biological children, and promise to raise and educate the adopted child to grow healthily;
• The adoption applicant should personally sign his/her name. In the case of a married couple, both spouses should personally sign their names.

2. Birth Certificate:

• Adoption applicants should submit their birth certificates issued by the department in charge of household registration or by the department of registration of civil affairs in their birth place;
• If no such department exists, the applicant should provide a copy of the original birth certificate notarized by the local notary public or notary agency;
• The birth certificate should include the applicant's name, sex, date of birth, place of birth and parents' names.

3. Marital Status Certificate:

• A married couple should provide their marriage certificate issued by the department concerned in their place of marriage;
• Single adopters must submit a document attesting to single status. Applicants who are divorced must submit their divorce decree(s). And for the bereft spouse, a death certificate must be submitted.

4. Certificates of Profession, Income and Property:

Each applicant should submit certificates of profession,income, and family assets respectively.

• Each adoption applicant should submit a certificate of profession issued by his/her employer. The certificate must include the applicant’s position, the length of time employed, and annual salary denominated in his/her country’s currency;
• If the adoption applicant himself/herself is an employer, the certificate of profession and income should be submitted by a certified public accountant; if the adoption applicant himself/herself is an accountant, the certificate of profession and annual income should be submitted by another certified public accountant;
• The family asset certificate should be completed by filling in the "Financial Statement" form attached (Form 1).

5. Health Examination Certificate:

• For the health examination certificate, each adoption applicant should submit a completed "General Physical Examination for Adoption Applicant" form attached (Form 2);
• The medical report of the adoption applicant will be considered valid if it is sent to the China Center of Adoption Affairs within six months of the date of issuance.

6 . Certificate of Criminal or No-criminal Record:

• Each adoption applicant must submit a certificate issued by local police authorities indicating whether the applicant has any criminal record. The certificate must be signed by a police officer;
• If the adoption applicant has lived overseas away from his/her country of constant residence for one year or more during the last five years, the applicant must submit a corresponding certificate to indicate whether the applicant has any criminal record in the overseas locality;
• The certificate of criminal or no-criminal record continues to be valid if it is sent to the China Center of Adoption Affairs within six months of the date of issuance.

7. The Home Study Report:

• The Home Study Report must describe in detail: The applicants' motivations and reasons for adopting. The report must clearly state whether the applicant has children, including any children from previous marriage(s) or any other adopted children. The report must also clearly state any conditions the applicant places on the adoption, including whether special needs children are acceptable (and indicating what kind of special needs), and whether older children are acceptable.
• The adoption applicant’s family background, including the applicant’s education, experience and his/her relationship with parents and siblings.
• Whether the applicant has a history of alcoholism, substance abuse, pilferage, domestic violence, child abuse or other harmful behavior or has a criminal record or any penalty meted out.
• The health status of the adoption applicant should be stated strictly according to the facts, which include whether the applicant suffers from mental or psychological illness, or any unfavorable elements which would affect the bringing up of the child. The health certificate should be supplied by licensed doctors in connection with the conditions mentioned above.
• As to the family income status, the home study should reflect the adopter’s income as things really are, including annual salary, benefits from investments, interest income, and the family's fixed assets.
• The marital status of the adoption applicant should include the following:

What is the status of relationship between husband and wife? If there were previous marriages, the number of divorces and causes should be written down in the home study.

• The adoption applicant should decide who shall act as guardian for the child in the event of a debilitating accident or health problem, or premature death of the applicants. What will be the commitment on the part of the guardian?
• In any situation in which family members or others live with single applicants, the reason for the cohabitation should be clearly indicated to ensure that the single adopter is not homosexual.
• The community environment in which the applicant lives should be described in the study, in particular, the attitude toward accepting children from other cultures and ethnic groups.
• The home study should be investigated and completed by a certified licensed social worker. The social worker should provide an assessment as to whether the applicant is qualified to adopt as well as suggestions for the adoption.

8. Certificate of China Adoption Approval (by the competent department of the adopter’s country of constant residence.)

The adoption applicant should submit a certificate of effective approval issued by the adopter’s country of constant residence, approving of his/her travel to China for adoption. (For example, in the U.S., this is the INS I-171H Form.)

China Center of Adoption Affairs