The Adoption Process

1. Initial Contact

Before submitting your official application, please contact us to discuss if the Hong Kong adoption program is right for your family. We are seeking five families who are willing to be flexible and patient as we navigate this pilot program together.

2. Adoption Specialist Assignment and New Client Packet

If the program is deemed a good fit, you’ll be assigned an adoption specialist upon receiving your application documents and fee. Your adoption specialist will be your primary contact throughout the adoption process providing support, answering questions, and offering additional information.

3. Complete Training

Gladney’s pre-adoption training helps families adopting from Hong Kong understand the unique medical and emotional needs of children from this region. The training ensures families are ready to provide a stable and caring home.

4. Home Study

Begin your home study as soon as possible—it can take several months to complete and is required to apply for a waiting child. Check with your adoption specialist before selecting an accredited home study service provider. Families with a current home study for another program may apply for consideration. If selected to move forward, you will need to update your home study for a Hong Kong adoption.

5. Preparing Your Dossier

Prepare a comprehensive dossier that matches the information in your home study report.

All documents must be notarized, or in the case of vital records, newly issued certified copies. Detailed dossier instructions and forms are provided in the New Client Packet.

6. Adoption Travel

Adoptive parents are permitted to travel to Hong Kong after the Hague process is complete, they have received Article 5, and have confirmed required appointments. Both parents must travel to Hong Kong to meet the child unless there are dire circumstances that prevent this. The stay in Hong Kong is about a week, depending on the child's adjustment. Children adopted from Hong Kong will enter the US on an IH-4 VISA, and the adoption will be finalized in the US in your local family court system. Families find the trip to be a culturally rich experience.