China: Intercountry Adoptions from China

Last Updated: May 10, 2023

This notice updates the Intercountry Adoptions from China Notice posted on our website November 17, 2020

The Bureau of Consular Affairs in the Office of Children’s Issues is closely monitoring news, policy, and travel requirements from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and their impact on the temporary suspension of intercountry adoptions from China. The Office of Children’s Issues works closely with our colleagues at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing as well as the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou who will process pending adoption cases in the event the PRC ends their temporary suspension of intercountry adoptions. Please continue to work with your accredited adoption service provider and monitor our website for updates as we continue to seek clarity from the China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption (CCCWA).

Clarification Regarding Reports on Policy Changes:

Intercountry adoptions between the PRC and the United States remain suspended.  With the exception of a few cases, CCCWA’s posture has not changed and all cases remain suspended. The Office of Children’s issues has not received a CCCWA announcement regarding the status of China’s adoption program from the Anhui province or nationwide. 

We have received numerous inquiries from PAPs and ASPs about reports of policy changes regarding intercounty adoption in China. We have no updates on the status of intercountry adoption from China. We understand hundreds of families are still pending completion of their adoption and we strive to provide PAPs and ASPs with up-to-date information as it is provided or confirmed by the CCCWA. The Office of Children’s Issues will update all ASPs on any official CCCWA guidance as it is communicated directly to us. We and our embassy and consulate colleagues in Mission China can not always verify reports attributed to CCCWA or provincial authorities and relayed to us indirectly. We advise ASPs to refrain from arranging travel for PAPs prior to verifying that an adoption case may move forward by the local provincial office.