Journeys of the Heart’s  (JOH) China Adoption Program began in 1994. Our fees are very competitive, particularly with the services we provide: personal service, attention to detail, a great track record in adoptions and an excellent relationship and history with the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA).

After the adopting parent’s application is sent to China the wait for a referral is about 60 months at this time.  Once you are referred a child and have accepted that child, the trip to China is generally two weeks long, starting with a few days in Beijing to visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. At least one parent must travel to adopt the child.

The CCAA refers healthy infants for adoption to married couples between the ages of 30 and 45. If both parents are over the age of 45 the CCAA will refer healthy children who are likely to be at least one year old. If parents are between 50 and 55 years old, China will refer only special needs children. China does not allow persons under the age of 30 to adopt. Babies are generally between 8-14 months old at time of referral.

For families with Chinese heritage, CCAA will expedite the referral process and the time frame should be less than the normal waiting time.

Journeys arranges all travel so that families can accurately budget their travel portion of the trip. Our guide in Beijing quickly and expertly makes any travel arrangements within China and gets competitive prices even with little advance notice. We utilize top notch travel guides in China who know the adoption process and what to see while you are there. We arrange for a complete travel package that includes all in country travel, hotels, guides, and sightseeing when possible.   Our friendly and knowledgeable guide meets the families when they arrive in Beijing.  Local guides assist in different areas we visit. We help make travel arrangements to get to and from China.  Families who wish to use frequent flier programs for the international portion of the flights can make such arrangements.

The guides and escort also assist the family in completing the child's immigration paperwork, communicating with provincial officials, providing shopping tips, sightseeing ideas and your overall support.

Relief programs by JOH have made substantial 501 (c)(3) Donations to China's orphanages and waiting children, supported surgeries and purchased air conditioning and heat units that help the waiting children survive the hottest of summers and the below freezing winters. JOH continues to give to orphanages in this way through the Love the Children Fund.

For more information on this program, contact Gabriel Marcu at:

gabriel@journeysoftheheart.net or (503) 681-3075