HONG KONG ADOPTIONS
Hong Kong is a signatory to The Hague Adoption Convention.
The Hong Kong Central Authority has accredited Sunrise to assist with finding families for children.
Intercountry adoptions are facilitated by International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISSHK) and Po Leung Kuk (PLK). Under Hong Kong’s adoption law, the Central Authority prioritizes placing children with families of the same cultural or ethnic background to minimize cultural challenges and adjustment problems. The Central Authority will only consider intercountry adoption for children for whom options in Hong Kong are not available.
The Parents
The eligibility criteria to adopt from Hong Kong are:
Both applicants must be residents of British Columbia;
At least, adoptive parent must be a Canadian citizen;
Single applicants and couples, who are married or in a common law relationship, aged 25 and older. Maximum age is flexible, depending on age of the child to be adopted;
Unfortunately, same-gender couples are not permitted to adopt from Hong Kong at this time;
You must have been married for at least three years; Previous divorces must be discussed with a social worker;
Single applicants must have sufficient child care experience and a strong support network;
You must have a minimum of a high school education;
Applicants must not have a criminal record that adversely affects their parental capacity as an adoptive parent;
Applicants must be in good physical and mental health. Applicants who have experienced depression or other mental illnesses will be considered on a case-by-case basis;
Applicants must be in a good financial situation;
Applicants are advised to learn about development and attachment issues, and must consider what resources they have to parent a child who has been in the child welfare system;
Applicants must be genuinely willing to accept, love and care for a child.
The Children
Children in Hong Kong who are awaiting adoption are typically cared for in foster homes. Children between 1 and 8 years of age with special placement needs are available for adoption.
Special placement needs may include medical conditions, developmental or mental health needs, or complexities related to birth family circumstances. Some waiting children have moderate to significant medical needs, such as Thalassemia or Down syndrome. In addition, some children over the age of 6 years may be available for adoption who do not have identified medical conditions.
Children with special needs are typically between 3 and 5 years of age, at the time of placement. As there are generally more boys than girls waiting for adoption in Hong Kong, families are encouraged to consider being open to a proposal for a boy, as this is the most common match.
Birth families in Hong Kong often have complex life circumstances. Birth mothers may experience significant challenges such as poverty, mental health concerns, substance use, or cognitive limitations. Many of the children in need of intercountry adoption have experienced complex early life circumstances, such as abuse or neglect, or may have a family history that includes substance dependence, mental illness, or criminal activity. These are children for whom permanent family placement cannot be found within Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a well-developed medical system, and the agency we partner with provides detailed information regarding each child’s health and developmental progress. As many of the children are typically over the age of three at the time of referral, there is often information available about their development and whether they are meeting key milestones.
Relative Adoptions
We can also assist with the adoption of a relative child from Hong Kong.