(Promulgated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs on May 25, 1999)

Article 1: This Regulation is formulated based on Measures for Registration of Adoption of Children by Chinese Citizens.

Article 2: To adopt a child living in Mainland China, an overseas Chinese descendent, or Chinese residing in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan region must present in person and register the adoption with the civil affairs department of the people's government of the municipality directly under the Central Government or autonomous region in the locality where the adoptee's permanent residence is registered.

Article 3: An overseas Chinese descendent, who lives in a foreign country having a diplomatic relationship with China, needs to provide an adoption application and the following documents at the time of filing adoption registration:

1. Passport;

2. Documents provided by relevant authorities of the foreign government verifying age, marital status, children, profession, financial status, health, and criminal records of the adoptive applicant. These documents shall be certified by the diplomatic authority of that country or an organization authorized by the diplomatic authority. These documents shall be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates.

Article 4: An overseas Chinese descendent, who lives in foreign country not having a diplomatic relationship with China, needs to provide an adoption application and the following documents at the time of filing the adoption registration:

Passport;

Documents provided by the relevant authorities of the foreign government verifying age, marital status, children, profession, financial status, health, and criminal records of the adoptive applicant. These documents shall be certified by the diplomatic authority of that country or an organization authorized by the diplomatic authority. These documents shall be authenticated by an Embassy of a country that has a diplomatic relationship with China.

Article 5 A Chinese citizen residing in Hong Kong needs to provide an adoption application and the following documents at the time of filing the adoption registration:

1. Hong Kong Resident Card, Enter Mainland Pass for Honk Kong Resident or Visit Mainland Card for Hong Kong Resident;

2. Documents must be provided by a Hong Kong notary and authorized by the Chinese government verifying age, marital status, children, profession, financial status, health and criminal records of the adoptive applicant.

Article 6 A Chinese citizen residing in Macau needs to provide an adoption application and the following documents at the time of filing adoption registration:

1. Macau Resident Card, Enter Mainland Pass for Macau Resident or Visit Mainland Card for Macau Resident;

2. Documents must be provided by the relevant Macau authorities verifying age, marital status, children, profession, financial status, health and criminal records of the adoptive applicant.

Article 7 A Taiwan resident needs to provide an adoption application and the following documents at time of filing adoption registration:

1. A valid proof of residency in Taiwan Region;

2. Valid travel documents issued or stamped by the relevant Chinese authorities.

3. Documents notarized by the notary public in Taiwan Region verifying age, marital status, children, profession, financial status, health and criminal records of the adoptive applicant.

Article 8 This regulation shall take effect as of the date of promulgation.

Source: english.gov.cn