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Adoption Program

Hong Kong

• Overview
• Requirements
• Child Profile
• Process
• Why Hong Kong

Application Procedures

1. Submit the HIC application to adopt with the application fee. With your approved application, we will maintain an active file for one year.
2. Submit to HIC, a letter addressed to PLK outlining interest in adoption, along with a brief account of current family and the adoption plan.
3. HIC will assist with this: File the USCIS I-800A form to obtain advance approval to bring a foreign child to US. Schedule Home Study visits with your HIC worker. HIC will refer the non-Hawaii prospective adoptive family to a state-licensed, non-profit agency to conduct a home study on the family.
4. Note: Prospective adoptive parents have to complete the home study and receive the USCIS approval before the dossier is sent to PLK.
5. PLK will conduct screening of the home study report and related documents. PLK will forward the dossier to Social Work Department of Hong Kong for approval.
6. The family is approved and put in the pool of approved families. Normally Hong Kong SWD would approve the family if the family meets the basic requirement.
7. HIC is informed of a child match for the family, and if the family accepts the child, Hong Kong SWD would ask for supplementary information with specific reference to the child, such as the specific parenting ability, the local resources in providing treatment/training for the child etc.
8. Hong Kong SWD will take the two weeks to settle their internal process before the case is sent to the government legal counsel for the preparation of legal document, with supplementary information from the prospective adoptive parents and the matching is successful. It takes another 6 weeks for the preparation of legal documents and the case to be brought before Hong Kong High Court for permission to grant a Court Order allowing the child to leave Hong Kong.
9. With the Court Order and other relevant documents, HIC staff/PLK will make application to the US Consulate in Hong Kong for the child’s entry visa to US. It takes US Consulate 3 to 5 weeks to approve the visa.
10. HIC will work with families to arrange travel to Hong Kong after the child’s US entry visa is obtained. Families will return home with their children.
11. Final adoption processes will take place in the United States.

Matching Procedures

For children under the guardianship of the Social Welfare Department:

1. PLK will match a waiting child to the approved home to meet the child’s needs.
2. A social summary and a comprehensive Child Study Report will be sent to the prospective adoptive parents for consideration through HIC.
3. The Child Study Report will include:
   1. the child’s photographs
   2. information on the child’s background, development history, present development, daily routine, habits etc;
   3. medical report and other relevant documents.
4. If the child is accepted by the prospective adoptive parents, PLK will proceed to seek approval from the Hong Kong SWD on the matching.
5. After formally endorsing the matching, the Hong Kong SWD will prepare for court proceedings so that the child can leave Hong Kong in order to join the prospective adoptive family.
6. If the matching is unsuccessful (if the family declines the child assignment), the prospective adoptive parents will be placed on the waiting list.

For children to be adopted by overseas relatives:

1. PLK will compile a comprehensive Child Study Report and assess the child’s need for adoption.
2. PLK will see the views of the child’s parents/guardians to confirm the adoption plan.
3. The application and matching will be sent to the Social Welfare Department for approval.

Preparing the Child for Adoption

1. Upon obtaining the approval of Hong Kong SWD on the matching, PLK will provide the child with pictures and information of adoptive family as introduction.
2. HIC and PLK will further strengthen their relationship through other exchanges.
3. PLK will also familiarize and orientate the child with the style of living and habits of the future home. This will take place based on information provided by HIC and the family.

Travel arrangements

1. The adoptive parents will apply to USCIS, with the assistance of HIC, to obtain the child’s entry visa.
2. PLK will prepare all the required documents for the child’s entry visa and traveling. HIC will make the international and domestic travel arrangement for the family.
3. HIC requires that adoptive parents to travel to Hong Kong to escort their child back to their home country.
4. Should circumstances require, HIC and PLK will arrange for the child to be escorted to the adoptive parents in their home country.

Post-placement supervision

1. After the child’s arrival in US, HIC will supervise the child’s placement in the adoptive family and report the progress to PLK on a quarterly basis until the adoption is finalized in US.
2. For the Ward of the Hong Kong Director of Social Welfare, HIC assumes responsibilities of care and control of the child during the placement period.

Withdrawal of application and placement break-down

1. Prospective adoptive parents can withdraw their application any time before the child is placed with them. Notification should be given to PLK by HIC after thorough discussion with the prospective adoptive parents. In such cases HIC in unable to refund fees.
2. In-case of placement break-down during the post-placement supervision period, the adoptive family should thoroughly discuss with HIC which has the care and control of the child so that the most suitable arrangement can be made for the child. PLK and the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department should be immediately informed and consulted.

Finalization of adoption

When the adoption is finalized in US, HIC will send a certified true copy of the Adoption Order to PLK to facilitate the ending of guardianship in Hong Kong.