Factsheet, Page 2
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HONG KONG ADOPTION PROCEDURES: The adoption process in Hong Kong begins with the prospective adoptive parents in Hong Kong submitting an application to the Director of the Social Welfare Department. The Social Welfare Department then compiles a "home study" and requires a medical examination of the couple. If, based on the findings of the home study, the application is approved, the Social Welfare Department attempts to match the couple with a child. If a match is made, the Department gives written consent to release the child into the applicants' home for a period of at least six months. An adoption worker will make periodic visits to the applicants' home to determine whether adoption by the applicants would be in the best interests of the child. Meanwhile, the applicants submit the required applications to the Director of Social Welfare Department and to the Hong Kong District Court for an Adoption Order. Upon receipt of the recommendation from the Director of the Social Welfare Department, the District Court sets a hearing date for the adoption to take place.
As an alternative U.S. citizens in the United States may apply to bring a Hong Kong child to the United States for adoption through the International Social Service (ISS) in Hong Kong under the Intercountry Adoption Program. ISS works closely with Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department in placing children overseas. ISS has an office in the United States at 700 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 (tel: 410-230-2734, fax: 410-230-2741). ISS Baltimore may be able to provide general information on adoptions. For specific information about Hong Kong adoption procedures, write to International Social Service Hong Kong Branch Office :
International Social Service Hong Kong Branch
6/F., Southorn Center
130 Hennessy Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
(tel: (852) 2834-6863, fax: (852) 2834-7627)
(e-mail: isshkbr@netvigator.com)
Once an U.S. family applies to adopt a Hong Kong child, ISS requests an approved U.S. social agency to perform a background check on the prospective adoptive parents. ISS will try to match an available child on the waiting list and will send the application to the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department for approval of the matching. ISS will forward to the U.S. citizens a comprehensive Child Study Report for their consideration. Once the Social Welfare Department approves the matching, the Department will apply to the Hong Kong court for a Consent of Adoption. With the Consent of Adoption, ISS will help prepare all the required documentation for the issuance of the child's visa and traveling to the United States. If necessary, ISS may arrange for the child to be escorted to the United States.
AGE AND CIVIL STATUS REQUIREMENTS: Married couples who are at least 25 years old, are in good physical and mental health and have adequate resources to parent an adopted child are more likely to succeed in adoption applications. Preferred married couples are those who have been married for at least three years (five years if it is the second marriage for either parent), and can provide the child a stable home. Persons over age 45 are considered for adopting a child if they are willing to accept older children or children with special needs. Children with special needs are those who have health problems, mental or physical disabilities, or complicated family background. According to ISS, single parents over 25 years old are not preferred unless they have special parental skills, adequate financial ability and support from other family members. Single parents over age 25 who are not preferred can still apply for adoption. However it may be easier for a non-preferred single parent to adopt a child with 'special needs'. Applicants must be reasonably educated in order to provide the necessary guidance to the child, and must have no criminal record. Ethnic Chinese stand a better chance than non-Chinese of adopting a Hong Kong child. However, non-Chinese have a good chance of being able to adopt a child if they are willing to consider an older child or adopting a child with special needs.
Credits: U.S. Department of State
