[irishwitch1]

Hello! My husband and I, like so many others tried to a US adoption and lost the child 2 hours before he was born. The mother had been playing mind games with us for 8 months...long story, but the state came in and took the baby and gave it to the aunt that bribed them all in the name of welfare money. So we have just begun our China adoption. I have heard that it is taking 2 years or more???? Can someone please please clarify and help me thru this. This is all very very new to me and I want to make sure we do not mess this up to cause it to be longer than it has to be. My husband is 20 years older (57) so we really cannot afford to wait. Thank you so much!!! Michelle

[arolloseco]

The time from LID (Log-In-Date) to referral is currently almost a year, but it has been slowing down significantly in the past 6 months or so, to the point that I wouldn't assume that 1 year is a certainty. Paperwork times vary greatly. For example, we started our paperwork in June 2005 and sailed through everything but had to wait on our I-171h which we didn't get until the end of October (resulting in a LID in early December). That's a fluke though, as some people get their I-171h much more quickly, but others take more time to get through the dossier.

I am also not sure about the age restrictions for China, hopefully someone else here will know about that. Hope that helps, at least a little!

BTW, I am so sorry for the domestic adoption that fell through. That must be heartwrenching and I am just so sorry you had that experience.

[Lissa]

I'm very very sorry about your domestic attempt that fell through.

As for China. Wait times have increased recently to 10-12 months, but it is possible to shorten that by adopting a waiting child. Some children who wait have major problems...but are still very deserving of a family and love. Others have very minor correctable problems like cleft lips, moles on their face etc. One boy recently on my agency's SN list was found at the orphange door, perfectly healthy but with a broken leg. He has healed completely (though he retains a nasty scar where the bone was sticking out) and he will soon be picked up by his new family.

As for prep time...well that varies. Some take up to a year, some as little as 3 months. Call your local BCIS to see what current wait times are like for I171 and that should give you a better idea how long it may take.

[wanttobe]

Sorry for your loss.
There are many great kids on Special Needs list. If you are going to consider going that way, which will shorten your wait, choose and agency that has special needs children. Or choose a child then the agency. They don't transfer a child to a different agency. There are many boys available as well as girls, all different ages. I love our agency and if you want to know who they are PM me. There are some boys now on their list that are waiting on for their families!
dana

[irishwitch1]

Hi Lissa...thank you for the info. What is BCIS and the I171? Is that part of the finger prints with the I600A? Thanks

[matrixgirl]

Sorry about the domestic situation. But it sounds like you are moving on- good for you

I just want to say that I don't think a shorter wait time is a good reason to choose the special needs program. No special need is "minor". It's a big decision and only you can decide if it's right for you.

Not sure about the age limit. I think you could still qualify for an older child but not for sure.

Good Luck!

[specialk4b]

My agency requires that neither spouse be over the age of 55. I don't know if this is an agency specific requirement or if it's in any way negotiable. You should check with the agencies you're considering to see what they say.

Sorry you had a crummy experience with domestic adoption. That must have been totatlly heartbreaking

[irishwitch1]

Per China's website only one of the spouse's have to be under 55. We are in the process of this adoption. I am just looking for some feedback on some time frames. Thanks so much!

[arolloseco]

Regarding paperwork: CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) is the department formerly known as INS. This is where you sent your petition to adopt an orphan (I600a). CIS will take your fingerprints, the FBI will use them to run yourbackground check, and CIS will send you your FDL (favorable determination letter), also known as the I171h.

Regarding China's requirements: It is important to know that each agency's requirements might differ from the requirements that China imposes. I would follow the advice of others who have suggested to ask around at different agencies to ensure that you fall within a particular agency's requirements.

[irishwitch1]

We did and our agency would never have accepted us if this was the case. Our contract is in place. Thanks!

[kim532]

Good Luck on your process! I hope everything goes smoothely for you.