[MomtoLanna]

Hello all!
I have been one of the many that sit back and quitly read everyone's commnets. Everyone here is so friendly, kind and helpful. It is so nice to know you have someone to talk to during a process that can be very intimidating. I have not found an agency yet, which for some reason i find very scary, what if i pick the wrong one! Plus being single i want to make sure it is the right one for this situation. So any words of wisdom would be greatly appreicated!! I know this is the right place for it.

[kimmie11]

Welcome Start by asking agencies if they have a quota. Some agencies have a singles quota for the year and may already be filled, that being said, they may have openings for waiting children (SN). Also check to see if you can go on a waiting list. Be careful, some agencies ask for application fees, regardless if they are open at the time or not. Every agency is different, big, small, country specific, multi-country., in-state, out of state. Find the fit that works for you. Get references and ask lots of questions. There is a lot of experience here. If you have agencies in mind you may mention them and ask for members to pm(private message) you with their experiences. Good Luck!

[cungar]

The quota is set by China. 8% of applications are accepted for singles. Agencies usaully have a waiting list which will add a year or two to your wait.

[thundrrds]

Abby;
Unfortunately you may not have the choice in which agency you go with... it may be the agency which has a slot available for a single person.
You may want to contact several agencies as others have mentioned to find out their singles policy and availability of slots. If you find some agencies you like you may want to have their applications completely filled out so you're 'ready to go' if they have a slot available.
ALso there are (I think) some yahoo boards for persons who are single and have or are wanting to adopt from China. I'm sure you'd get alot of information there as well as support from people.
And... even if an agency states their slots are filled some will find comes late fall that some of the applicants didnt' go forward with the adoption or found other options so slots may become available.

Good luck!!!

Joanne

[MomtoLanna]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

[siriusjr]

Thank you from another single lurker hoping to start the process in a few years.

[1moretime]

Is the quota still in place if you are single and want to adopt an older child, say about 6 yr old?

Nancy

[aristo]

For all you singles wanting to adopt from China....here's a true story.

One of our travel companions in our group was single. She started the process of adoption from China when she was still married....but things happen....unfortunatley, she and her DH got divorced.

Three years later after the divorce, she re-evaluated her life and decided she wanted to still adopt from China (but now as a single parent....no boyfriends or significant others).

Her agency (West Coast) told her she had to wait 2 more years in order to do that, but she didnt want to wait that long....so she contacted a friend who also have adopted, and she referred her to our agency (the best agency in our state based on word of mouth referrals) who told her...no problem....she finally completed her paperwork updated, new home study, etc...and waited like any other family for the referral.

Within a year, she...along with us, was off to China.

The moral of the story....call around....even out of your state. Some agency only want your business, and tell you what you want to hear. I suggest asking for referrals from ppl you trust.

Good luck.

[Serena1000]

Nancy, there's no waiting list for older children and no quotas as far as I know. I know when I first started talking to agencies they told my I could start the waiting child program right away. (I didn't but was able to move up the waiting list quickly).