The Adoption Timeline

How long does it take? Good question.

China adoptions are taking over two years from start to finish. Once the flurry of paperwork is completed and the dossier is off to China, the waiting begins. China logs in the dossier and then it sits for what is currently 18-24 months before a referral is made.

Why? Another good question, and we don’t know. Molly says, “Because they can.”

Special needs timelines are much faster, without the waiting period. If all goes well, from the time we signed on with AGCI to the time we bring Leah home should be about a year.


Here’s a rough breakdown of the timelines:

initial application to the adoption agency: a week or two

home study document preparation: if you’re really good, maybe a month; probably longer.

home study report: 1-3 months

application to CIS: 2-3 months

dossier authentication & translation: 2-4 weeks

dossier to China; wait for referral: 18-24 months for non-special needs

letter of intent (special needs): 2-3 weeks

pre-approval (special needs): 6-8 weeks

letter of confirmation: 3-4 months

travel approval: 2-3 weeks