Our Process
Hong Kong
First Steps
ALTHOUGH A WELL-ESTABLISHED HAGUE PROGRAM, THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR OUR AGENCY! MAA is seeking 5 families who are willing to be flexible and patient as we learn the process together! Before submitting your official application, please contact us to discuss if this is the right program for your family!
Caseworker & New Client Packet
If this program is deemed a good fit, families are encouraged to apply and complete a home study, or families with a current home study for another program may apply to MAA if they wish to be considered for a waiting child.
If your family is chosen, you will then contract with MAA and at that point, we will assign you to one of our wonderful Caseworkers. Your Caseworker will be your primary contact throughout your adoption to answer questions, provide additional information, and support you through each step of the process. At this time, we will also email you the MAA New Client Packet which includes all of the step-by-step instructions for the first stages of the adoption process.
If your family is chosen, you will then contract with MAA and at that point, we will assign you to one of our wonderful Caseworkers. Your Caseworker will be your primary contact throughout your adoption to answer questions, provide additional information, and support you through each step of the process. At this time, we will also email you the MAA New Client Packet which includes all of the step-by-step instructions for the first stages of the adoption process.
Home Study
Hong Kong works differently than many adoption programs, as a home study is required to apply for a waiting child; however, families may not find it prudent to complete this report without knowing if there is a child they will be selected to move forward with. Families must weigh the pros and cons of this decision as the home study report is what enables a family to be considered. Families from other programs that are on hold are encouraged to consider transferring programs if selected. You may use a home study for another program to submit to Hong Kong for consideration of a match. If your family is selected to move forward, you will be expected to update that home study immediately for a Hong Kong adoption.
- Using MAA as your home study provider (residents of Delaware, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania)
- Using another agency as your home study provider (residents of other states)
Pursuing a Waiting Child
The adoptive family should do the following research and preparation before submitting an Adoption Application to MAA to adopt a specific waiting child:
- Have a current, valid home study for any country; have a recently expired home study for any country; have a draft available of a current home study that will soon be finalized.
- Research the child’s special needs condition(s), including appropriate support groups for parenting a child with those special needs. Please refer to these medical resources as needed:
- Love Without Boundaries Special Needs Guide
- Rainbow Kids Medical Guide
- MAA Special Needs List
- Nemours Kids Health
- Obtain detailed information from doctors, specialists, friends, or families who have children with the same conditions.
- Identify medical specialists who can treat or consult about the condition of the child. If needed, please refer to this list of well-known International Adoption Medical Clinics.
- Be prepared to show proof of parental training, experience, education and/or understanding regarding the specific medical condition.
Hong Kong Adoption Dossier Requirements
Please note, detailed Dossier instructions and forms are provided in the New Client Packet.
The requirements for the Dossier are very strict and every document must match to the information in the home study report. A Hong Kong dossier must include the following documents:
- Home Study Report
- Passports of Applicants and Passports/Identify Proof for all other persons living in household, if applicable
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate: Husband, Wife, and All Children
- Divorce Decree/ Custody Order/ Death Certificate (if applicable)
- Adoption Decree of previously adopted child(ren) (if applicable)
- Medical Report and Undertaking of the Applicant: Husband & Wife
- Medical Note for all Family Members in the Household
- Education Qualification/ Diploma for your highest level of education
- Letter of Employment: Husband & Wife
- Three Letters of Reference/ Recommendation
- Letter from Guardians
- Police Clearances: ALL household members 18 and over
- Child Abuse Clearances: ALL household members 18 and over
- Financial Documentation
- USCIS Approval/ Form I800a
- Name Verification Form
- Certificate of Citizenship (if applicable)
- Proof and Qualifications of Home Schooling (if applicable)
- Pet Vaccination(s) of any pets in the home
- Intercountry Adoption Application Form
- Child Preference Form
- Family and House Photos
- Notice on Collection of Personal Data
- Fee Schedule of Hong Kong Partner
- Vaccination Exemption
- Assumption of Responsibility Pending Adoption Completion
- Statement of Acceptance for Adoption
- Post Placement Agreement
- Inter-Agency Agreement
All of the documents above must be notarized or in the case of vital records, newly issued certified copies.
Hong Kong Adoption Travel
Adoptive parents are permitted to travel after the Hague process is complete and they have received Article 5 and a confirmed appointment with the Child Adoption Board (CAB).
Both parents must travel to Hong Kong to meet your child unless there are dire circumstances as to why this is impossible. Children adopted from Hong Kong will enter the U.S. on an IH-4 VISA. Adoptions are finalized in the United States, and the adoption is completed in your local family court system. The stay in country is about a week, depending on the adjustment of the child. Families find the trip to be a culturally rich, wonderful experience.
Prospective Adoptive Parents Form
Prior to starting the adoption process, Madison Adoption Associates requires that a family submit a Prospective Adoptive Parents Form. Start Today