[jbmom06]

My husband and I are currently researching intl adoption options and Taiwan keeps coming back to my heart. Through my research I have come across the concept of independent adoption with them and have several questions I am hoping somebody with "real life" experience or knowledge can answer.

First, I had never heard of independent intl adoption until I started researching Taiwan. I always assumed you had to go through an agency. How hard is it really to do and how do you know you have all your legal bases covered? I don't mind doing a lot of work myself, but I am scared of not doing it right and losing a child or our money. Where do you start? Is it true that quite a bit of costs are cut out by doing it independently, or do you pretty much end up spending the same amount as an agency adoption in the long run?

We are really hoping to find a boy, preferring age 1.5 to 3 yrs, but will accept infant to 4 yrs if a referral comes up. Are toddlers or infants easier to find in Taiwan if adopting independently? About how long might we expect it to take for a toddler? Basically, if we would like to have the child in our home in about 2 yrs, when should we start?

Finally, I have heard that a lot of agencies won't allow adoptions out of birth order. We currently have two bio girls, ages 2 yrs and 3 mos. We would really like our oldest to stay the oldest, but would we be allowed to adopt a boy from Taiwan if he happened to fall between our girls' ages at the time? Or do they still frown on that in independent adoptions?

I would be truly grateful for any assistance or advice anybody can give me during this research phase of our journey.

[Dearonebaby]

I have pm'd you. email me if you have any further questions.

Sarah k
Taiwan Independent adoption info~~plus more
Taiwankiddo2-Girlfriend adoption talk

[kendedrache]

Hi Sarah,

I am also interested in learning more about independent adoptions through Taiwan. My husband and I are currently on a waitlist to ultimately adopt a NSN infant girl from Chung Yi, but we have no idea how long it will take. We have considered switching to the foster care program at TWCA, but the costs are prohibitively expensive. If you have any suggestions about who we might be able to contact to inquire about possible children, I would love to hear them. A little bit about us: we are not religious, so I don't know if that makes it impossible to adopt independently (it seems like most, if not all, private facilitators are Christian based). I am also 6 months pregnant--I know most agencies require that the bio baby be 6 months old before we can submit any paperwork to Taiwan, and we are just fine with that. Would having such a young child in our home hurt our chances?
I welcome any info you are willing to share!
Thanks!
Amber L
Cramber's Taiwan Baby

[MissyAmomChina]

Hi Amber,

We are not religious either and that was a huge factor for us when adopting from Taiwan. Many of the smaller facilities require you to have a religious association/be a Christian. Good luck!

[Sue71]

For my knowledge that if you are not a Christian then you both will have to be Taiwanese citizens though. I have a hard time to find a way to adopt independently from Taiwan because of these two issues. One SW in Taiwan told me to either move back to live in Taiwan for 6 months or just pay agency fees for it. I am still looking and waiting..