Background

Adoption is an agreement between the natural parents/legal guardians and the adoptive parents in relation to the material, educational and emotional well-being of the child to be adopted. The adoption process is completed by obtaining a civil ruling and certificate for final civil ruling from the Court and registering the adoption at the local Census Bureau where the child is registered. The articles of law relating to adoption in Taiwan are found in the Civil Code (Book of family), Articles 1072-1083.

Criteria for Prospective Adoptive Parents

• The adoptive parents must be at least twenty years older than the adoptee.
• Where a married person adopts a child, he/she must do so jointly with his/her spouse.
• Our organization requires the applicants to be under 45 years old and to be married at least five years.
• Preference is given to CHILDLESS couples.
• A letter addresses to prospective birthmother should be attached with home study.
• Please keep in touch with Cathwel once in a while before you are offered a proposal. So we are sure that you still have interest in working with us.

Categories of Children Available for Adoption

• An "orphan" both of whose parents have died or disappeared; an "orphan" who was abandoned or deserted; an "orphan" who has become separated legally by law from both parents.
• An unwanted offspring born to the natural mother by out of wedlock.
• Children with special needs due to either physical or mental developmental retard, medical report will be provided.

Documents Required

• One (1) original copy of home study report from the social welfare agencies/authority.
• Other required documents for Court procedure will be notified while offering proposal.

Allocation of Child

• When the above documents are received by our organization, we will place the applicant's names on our waiting list provided the applicants meet all the requirements.
• After allocation of a suitable child to the applicants, we will forward the following documents to the authority/social welfare agencies/applicants
• Birth certificate of child
• A statement of release of orphan for immigration and adoption
• A diagnostic medical report on the child
• Photo/photos of the child
• A child study report will be sent to agencies if the prospective parents request

Court Procedures In Taiwan

• Although proxy adoptions are possible, we prefer both adoptive parents to attend the court proceedings. If, for any reason, one of the applicants or both of the applicants, are unable to attend court, it is advisable for the another person to take with him/her to the court three original copies of the Power of Attorney. This Power of Attorney should indicate the name of the child, sex of the child, and also the birthday of the child. It is most important that such power of attorney be notarized by our Consul/Representative located in the country of applicants.
• Applicants should produce in Court an affidavit or a certified letter (in duplicate) from your authority/ social welfare department/Consul/ to the effect that you are approved as adopters according to the adoption laws of your country.
• It is necessary that the natural parents/legal guardians and the adoptive parents should sign a Contract which will be provided by Cathwel. Such contract should be notarized by our Consul/Representative located in the country of applicants.
• If one side (the natural parents or the adoptive parents) stops the adoption before the legal adoption procedure is completed, Cathwel will not take the responsibility.

Cost and Donation

Cathwel Service needs financial support to run the organization, cost and donation will be required. The cost and donation amount is not fixed and is varied from different cases.