Exceptions To the Rules

I have "heard" that lately China is starting to make some exceptions to their strict requirements of adoptive parents.  I have even been told that one particular agency has even been able to get one of their clients a BMI waiver!!  China has already been giving out income waivers and some of the total asset waivers in the past, but this was the first time I have ever heard of a BMI waiver.  This is great news for all the waiting children.  So if you think you can't qualify to adopt from China, think again and drop me an email to find out about this great agency :)

Here are the standard requirements:

According to the Adoption Law of the People’s Republic of China (published 11/4/1998 ), current Chinese government policies and practices, and U.S. immigration laws, you must meet the following guidelines to qualify for a China adoption:

Applicants must be a legally married heterosexual couple. At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Couples with no previous marriages must be married for at least two years at the time the dossier is logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). If either spouse has been previously married, the current marriage must be at least five years old at the time the dossier is logged in at the CCAA. No applicant may have had more than two divorces.

Applicants must be at least 30 years old* and no older than 55 years old at the time their dossier is logged in at the CCAA.
*Applicants may submit an application to CCAI once both parents are at least 29.5 years old.

Families must document $10,000 of annual income per member in the household, including the to-be-adopted child. A minimum of $80,000 net worth is required.

Applicants must be in good physical and mental condition necessary to provide responsible care for an adopted child. If an applicant has a history of any cancer, please contact your agency before completing the Application for Adoption.

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 CCAA.

Each applicant’s Body Mass Index (BMI) must be under 40. (BMI equals a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI=kg/m 2). Click here to calculate your BMI

Applicants must have a minimum of high school education or equivalent.

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, including experimentation.