Adoption is a legal process by which parental rights and responsibilities over a child are transferred from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. An adoption in Hong Kong must be effected in accordance with the Adoption Ordinance , Cap. 290 , Laws of Hong Kong. The guiding principle in the adoption process is the “best interests of the child” ( section 8 of the Adoption Ordinance ).

Local adoption service in Hong Kong is provided by the Adoption Unit of the Social Welfare Department and three non-governmental organizations, as Accredited Bodies:

• International Social Service Hong Kong Branch
• Mother’s Choice Limited
• Po Leung Kuk

The statutory requirements concerning the accreditation system in respect of local adoption in the HKSAR are set out in sections 26 , 26A and 26B of the Adoption Ordinance .