Adoption Process

Posted by Sims (142 days ago)

Hi, I'm new to this forum hope somebody can help.
My husband and I have completed the application form for adoption. We sent it over 2 weeks ago, and had no response from social services, is this normal? We expected some basic standard reply. Hope somebody can help,thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by tommytommy (142 days ago)

Hi Sims,

Is this the application form that also has dates on it for the seminar evenings? If it is, I am pretty sure you wont hear from them. You fill out the form and make your preference for what dates you would prefer to attend the seminars and send it in. From memory I am pretty sure they will only contact you if there is a problem. You are meant to just show up for the seminars on the dates you requested.

There was an initial application form and then there was another more in depth application form so I hope I have given you the correct information.

My husband and I became parents to a gorgeous little girl a month ago. We attended our initial information session last September. If you want to talk about the process feel free to send me a PM.

Regards.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sims (141 days ago)

Hi tommytommy
I'm new to this forum, I feel like an idiot asking this but how do I contact you and what does PM mean?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (141 days ago)

PM = personal message. You may click Message to send a note to another member

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (141 days ago)

Hi Sims
There are lots of adoptive parents in this forum. You can send private messages to tommytommy as she kindly offered. Or you can just post your questions here and I am sure you will receive plenty replies. Just be specify with your questions to get correct answers. If you are expecting an answer from Social Services (SS).......my daughter's adoption was in 2003/2004 so the memory is a bit vague. We did get a reply (a letter) from them to turn us down because they said our marriage was not long enough. It had to be 5 years, if I m right. But ours was only 3. Anyway later I found out (other members kindly told us) that is SS's usual tactics to put some parents off so as to find out who really wants to adopt. To cut the story short, if you are in doubt if they receive your application or you simply want to know when and what to expect, dont be afraid to give them a ring. I found most of the staff there friendly, may be one or two are a bit business like. Please bear in mind Adoption system in Hong Kong is quite straightforward and 'transparent'. So stay positive and I wish you all the best.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tommytommy (141 days ago)

Hi Sims,

I have just re-read my last post and it was as clear as mud. Sorry about that.
Mighty has the right idea. If you are concerned, give the Social Welfare Department a call. We have found them to be mostly helpful. They will absolutely answer your queries.
As I mentioned before, if you would like to chat send me a personal message. If not, this is a great place to have your questions answered.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by baligirl (133 days ago)

Can anyone share their experiences as a single mum ?
Is it possible to adopt in Hong Kong ?
Any suggestions?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (133 days ago)

Hi baligirl, I dont have actual experience on this. But I came across 2 cases. First one was in one of those adoption classes that I took with husband a few years ago, there was a single lady in the same class with us which means she was qualified to adopt. Second case was a good friend of mine. She is 40ish with sound financial background. From what I heard from her, Social Services Department's screening on her was exactly the same as ours so I wld say there is no discrimination. Her process in fact was gone thru all the way to the matching board and was matched with a girl. Sadly she didnt go ahead due to personal likings. So the possibility is there!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by emma dilemma (131 days ago)

Hi, I was told that you need to live in Hong Kong for 12 months before you can lodge your application to adopt. Is that right?? Also, is there a requirement for how long you must live in Hong Kong after the adoption goes through. Its just that my family and I are about to arrive for a 2 year posting, we had started the adoption process in Australia and now want to go through it in Hong Kong.

Any thoughts

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tommytommy (131 days ago)

Hi Emma,

Unfortunately you do need to live in Hong Kong for a minimum of 12 months before you can apply to adopt. In saying that our adoption took only 9 months from the first seminar to our little girls coming home.

As for how long you have to remain in Hong Kong .... the formal adoption process starts the day your little one comes home and takes 6 months to go through the courts. Ours will be finalized in December. Till then none of us can leave Hong Kong (my husband, myself or our daughter), after that we are free to come and go as we please.

Hope this helps.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by emma dilemma (26 days ago)

Hi Tommytommy,

You said your little girls' - did you gett siblings. We are open to adopting siblings as we already have 2 boys of our own and are more than happy to take two girls. Is there a an easier route - such as not putting in a preference for nationality etc or saying that you are open to taking siblings including one that is over 2 years old. We were told that we may have problems because preference is given to couples without children.

Emma

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tommytommy (26 days ago)

Hi Emma,

I afraid that was a typo. We adopted one little girl.

The more open you are with your preferences, the more chance you have of your adoption being quicker. They do give preference to couples without children but that doesn't mean your adoption application won't be successful it may just take a little longer.

Best of luck with your adoption.

(I am based in Hong Kong)