Bay Area Adoption Services (BAAS) has been assisting families with adoptions from Taiwan since 1986. Our agency has a long established relationship with Cathwel Service in Taipau-Hsien, Taiwan. Since 1971, Cathwel has been caring for and placing premature, abandoned, and special needs children in Taiwan. Cathwel is committed to finding forever families for all the children placed in their care. The children are well cared for as they wait to be matched. BAAS is committed to assisting couples adopt from Taiwan.

TYPES OF CHILDREN

All the children who are available for adoption are examined and tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis prior to being matched and referred to a family. Parents will receive biographical and medical information on a referred child, which will include photographs. Characteristics of children available include:

• Infants and toddlers 6 months old and above
  
• Children with special needs
  
• Older children, ages 3 years and above
  

REQUIREMENTS

• Married couples can adopt
  
• Couples must be married a minimum of five years.
  
• Applicants must be at least twenty years older than the adoptee.
  
• Applicants must be between 30 to 45 years old.
  
• Couples of Chinese descent preferred.
  
• Preference is given to CHILDLESS couples

TIME INVOLVED

At present, the entire adoption process usually takes approximately 12-24 months. The first 6 months of the process involves completing the homestudy, receiving USCIS clearance, and gathering and notarizing documents required by the Taiwan government. The referral time frame is approximately 6-12 months. Cathwel does not match the family with the child but the child’s birth family selects the adoptive family. Therefore, wait times for referrals can vary greatly. Once a child has been assigned, the family is expected to travel to Taiwan. The stay in Taiwan is approximately four to seven days.

IN TAIWAN

Both parents are expected to travel. Once you arrive in Taiwan, families are met by a Cathwel representative who will assist them in completing the necessary paperwork required to complete the adoption.

FEES INVOLVED

BAAS FEE: $4,600

The following is a general estimate of costs involved:

• Registration & Pre-adopt class
  
• Homestudy
  
• Paperwork Assistance, including dossier preparation and USCIS filing
  
• Overseas program consultation
  
• 2 post placement visits
  
• Assistance in obtaining a California birth certificate for the child, and any other post-adoption paperwork.

CATHWEL FEES: Approx. $10,000

• Services & Program Fees The service fee covers all case management, BAAS dossier translation, and early preparation for adopting from Taiwan. These fees are directly related to the Taiwanese adoption program and the administration of this program. A portion of the program fee covers non-travel related fees within the country. The fees also support their humanitarian aid projects, which include but are not limited to, the following: providing counseling and prenatal care to young mothers, medical care for children with disabilities, and educational assistance to the children in the orphanages.
  
• Additional Fees Other incidental expenses include Taiwanese government fees, visa and passport fees, coordination fees including communication with the Taiwanese government. These fees may include round-trip airfare and living expenses while in Taiwan, state certification, authentication and translation of documents, Taiwanese government fees, visa and passport fee, coordination fee including communication with the Taiwanese government.

MISCELLANEOUS FEES $1000-$2000

• USCIS filing fee
  
• Procurement of documents (i.e., birth & marriage certificates, etc.)
  
• Photocopying of documents
  
• Notary fees
  
• Certification & Authentication of official documents
  
• Court filing fees

INTERNAL TRAVEL IN TAIWAN
(Approximately $100 per person per day)

• Includes hotel accommodation,
  
• Food, various expenses
  
• Internal travel during full stay in Taiwan. Airfare to Taiwan is additional.

AIRFARE TO TAIWAN (VARIES)

Approximately $ 900.00 - $1200.00 per person roundtrip. This varies depending on dates, airlines, and departing location.

TOTAL COSTS

Generally speaking, the entire cost of completing an adoption in Taiwan is approximately $16,500-$19,000, including the BAAS fee, the Program fee, and all adoption processing in Taiwan, and travel.

• Please note that this information is subject to change without notice as changes occur in government/country regulations and/or adoption procedures. For the latest information, please call BAAS directly.