A Message to Families Waiting to Adopt from China

Since early 2020, many families pursuing adoptions from China have faced an indefinite pause. In January of that year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, China suspended international travel, including for families already matched with children for adoption. Since then, only a limited number of in-process adoptions have been finalized.

In August 2024, the US Department of State announced that China indicated it would no longer participate in intercountry adoption. However, the announcement left unanswered questions, particularly for the approximately 300 children and families who have been matched for more than five years. Despite persistent outreach from adoption agencies, the U.S. Department of State, Congressional offices, and others, China’s government has offered no clear plan or communication for completing these pending cases. Many families had already pre-paid for adoption-related services through China’s central authority and have not received the services or any refund. In late September 2025, the Department of State told waiting families and agencies they have as final an answer as they’ll get.

At this point, it appears that silence is the only answer we will receive from China’s adoption authority. These children and families deserved more. It is heartbreaking to know that most of the children matched with families remain in institutional care, when they could have spent these formative years in permanent, loving families.

We believe it is time for waiting families—especially those still open to adoption—to begin exploring other options. And it is time for agencies that have kept China programs open in hopes of resumption to begin responsibly reallocating staff and resources to better serve children through other adoption pathways.

This is not the outcome any of us hoped for. We worked and advocated for a solution that prioritizes the best interests of children. But in the absence of movement from China’s authorities, we must acknowledge the disappointing reality that these adoptions will likely never be completed. Our hearts are with the families and children affected by this prolonged uncertainty. We honor their hope, and we grieve the loss of what could have been.