The Start of A New Journey...

Well its been 9 months since we have been logged into the China Center of Adoption Affairs system and we just made a very big decision recently!! Due to China's extending wait for a referral (wait is currently 19 months and expected to extend to 24+ months), we have decided to dual list with our agency's Korea program. The current wait for a referral is about 5-7 months with travel being 3-4 months after that.

Here is some information from our agency regarding dual listing:

Dual listing - whereby you could initiate an adoption through another of our international programs while remaining "in line" for China provided you meet eligibility criteria and your social worker updates your home study to approve you for that program. Only one adoption process is completed when a family chooses to dual list; it is not possible to dual list and proceed to completion through both programs.


How does dual listing work?
You would concurrently pursue two adoption processes through CHSFS until referral stage, and accept only one referral of a child to complete just one adoption.
By accepting a referral through one program (theoretically it's the referral that comes first), you simultaneously withdraw from the other program thereby removing your dossier from that process.

Families are responsible for all costs associated with initiating the paperwork or dossier to both programs. Paperwork from your dossier to China could not be applied toward a second program.
There may be a fee to CIS for re-routing your approval to another country should you accept a referral outside China.

Your home study agency may or may not charge for an updated home study to reflect approval for the other country's program, so inquire with your social worker to be sure. Once you accept a referral, you are withdrawn from the other program, and there is usually a loss of fees toward the process that is not continued.

The option to dual list does not necessarily increase your chances of a quicker adoption process nor does it decrease risks associated with international adoption. Lastly, the option to dual list is not the best choice for everyone.

Is dual listing a new option?
Our China program did not previously allow applicants to dual list (beyond the stage of having a dossier sent to China) for a few reasons. A main reason had to do with a negative perception on China's end, where having a number of applicants withdraw in pursuit of another program could be perceived negatively (reflective of an agency's undecided and uncommitted families). Recently, we re-evaluated our policy on dual listing and consulted with CCAA. We determined dual listing to now be a viable option for families given the current circumstances. Keep in mind that if your log-in date through CCAA is in late 2005 or very early 2006, you may not reach referral stage through another program any earlier by dual listing.