Unmarried couple wanting to adopt

My partner and I have been together for 6 years but have chosen not to marry - does anybody know of other non-married, committed couples who have successfully adopted in HK?

sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you are unable to adopt if you have not been married for at least 3 years and not a day earlier....


We had to wait almost 11 months....the whole process takes a very long time...but is all worth it in the end....


However you can do single adoption but again it takes a long time....


Good luck...hope it all goes well.....

Bliss, when we applied we had only been married a year, but we'd been living together for 6years. We had to provide a letter/testimonal from someone in NZ, other than friends and family, who could confirm that we'd been together at least 2yrs (so that added up to three yrs which is all they're concerned about). If you have a joint mortgage or a joint bank account that can be verified to date back three years that also can be used.


As apieper suggested you could do a single adoption, but it is tricky as they really do interview you at depth and come to your home, but thats an option. You could also get married (albeit quite quickly) and at least you could apply at some stage in the near future and have some 'married time' under your belt.


Best of luck.....

meganheart,


I am so happy to read your post. My husband and I have gone to Mother's choice and ISS and have both been told we need to wait for the three years to be up. We are going to the briefing session in March to get more info. If you dont mind me asking, who did you go to to get approval for common law status. My husband and I have been together 7 years but only 2.5 married. Looking forward to your response!

Nay

Hi Nay,

I've just read your posting. We've had our hands full the last couple of days as we brought our beautiful 8 month old boy home from Po Leung Kuk orphanage! He's a little darling! So, bear with all the paperwork ahead of you..its worth every minute of it. Anyway, onto to practicalities. You should be completely fine, having been married 2.5 years. As I mentioned we had only been married a year (actually 11months) when we initially applied with the Hong Kong Social Welfare (but is that the same a ISS? If not download the adoption form from the HK social welfare site) We didn't have joint bank accounts or a mortgage in both our names so they asked us to provide testimonials from 2 independent sources (not family). We asked two long-time friends to write testimonials stating they had know us as a couple for 6 years and that we had been living together for more than 3years. I really can't see them worrying about you as you've been married for 2.5 years. If you want to pm me feel free and I'll provide as much information as I can.

Best of luck

It's so worth it!

Congratulations meganheart!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your message!!!!! I will pm you for sure if I have any questions. Thank you!!