[LizD]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone out there has ever heard of adopting from China without travel. Now I do realize that the requirements are generally that at least 1 parent has to travel for approx 7-10 days, but I also know they sometimes make exceptions.

Does anyone know of any agencies that might allow an escort?
I cannot travel for medical reasons and my husband has trouble getting off work.

Thanks!
freedomnbf@aol.com

[sak9645]

...Chinese adoption law and policy. And the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou (the only Consulate in China that issues adoption visas) will ensure that no child gets an adoption visa unless a valid adoption has been completed under Chinese law.

With Chinese adoptions, at least one parent MUST travel to receive the child and finalize the adoption in the province where the child is living. There are no exceptions under any circumstances -- not even for people of Chinese ethnicity, who have some advantages during the adoption process. This has been the case for quite a few years, and there hasn't been any talk of changing the law in this area.

I must tell you -- having adopted my daughter from China in 1997 -- that the travel is a truly wonderful part of the adoption experience. You will see your child's province, as well as some other parts of China, and your pictures and memories will help your child appreciate his/her rich heritage as he/she grows up. You will discover that most Chinese LOVE Americans and appreciate what you are doing for children who need families, and you will be able to convey to your child the warmth and generosity of the Chinese people. At the same time, while you fall in love with China, you will also feel a very special sense of pride in your own nation as you enter the U.S. Consulate and photograph your child in front of the flag of the country of which she will soon be a citizen.

I would strongly recommend that both husband and wife travel, if it is at all possible. Although I am single, I observed the married couples in my group and have since talked with many others about their travel experiences. My understanding is that it is a truly marriage enhancing experience.

Before you actually reach your child's city, you may stay a few days in a place like Hong Kong to rest up from jet lag and celebrate a "second honeymoon" -- sharing time together in a way that won't be possible for a good while once you have your child. And experiencing together the very sacred and special moments of meeting your child, agreeing to become his/her forever parents, learning new things about him/her minute by minute, and even sharing the "labor" of the long flight home will make your bonds to each other stronger.

There are some practical reasons for having both parents travel, as well. For one thing, if one parent travels, your child will not become an automatic citizen as soon as he/she sets foot in the U.S. You will have to readopt your child in the United States before automatic citizenship takes effect. For another, there is additional paperwork to do for the U.S. Consulate; as an example, you will have to deal with a very cumbersome document called the I-864 Affidavit of Support and will have to bring a bunch of tax forms to China.

But it is good that China offers married couples the option of having just one spouse travel, as it is simply a necessity for some people. There are many countries that require both spouses to travel -- especially countries in Eastern Europe.

It is actually not that common for children to be escorted. The main country that permits escort is Korea. With Korean adoption you don't actually adopt overseas; the child is brought to the U.S. under a decree of guardianship, for adoption here. With countries like Guatemala, where escort is an option, if you don't travel, the adoption goes through without you seeing the child first; it may make you feel a little unsettled that everything is signed and sealed before you have a chance to meet the little person who will be sharing your life.

I would be delighted to talk with you further about China adoption, the travel, etc. Please don't hesitate to contact me at sak9645@starpower.net.

Sharon

[LizD]

Thanks for the info.

We would love to be able to travel, but for health reasons, I just can't. We miss out on lots of things because of my health, including the ability to carry a baby full term. That's why we want to adopt.

I love the idea of it being a 2nd honeymoon.
Oh well. I just couldn't get China out of my mind but I know I have to.

Thanks and Congratulations!