Russia
Children Available
Infants from age 11 months (though most are closer to one year or over at completion of adoption), toddlers and children through 15 years old including special needs children of all ages. Families may request a gender and/or age preference, however, it may take longer to receive a referral for a girl.
Who May Adopt?
Currently our program only allows couples to adopt. Russia does accept cases where the families may have prior divorces and/or other children in the home. To adopt an infant in the regions we work in the adoptive mother can be no older than 45 years of age.
Time Frame
The wait may be longer for infant girls but can often be immediate for boys. Families travel for their first trip approximately 8 weeks after submitting dossier and return to finalize the adoption 4 - 8 weeks later.
Regions
We work in two regions, Moscow and Mari El. Travel details vary but in both regions, families are met at the airport by English speaking contacts who will guide you through the adoption process.
Travel (Moscow)
The Moscow region is two trips. For the first trip only 2 days in country is necessary, although you may stay longer if you like. The second trip is between 17 - 21 days. It is required that both adoptive parents travel on the first trip. On the second trip both parents must be present to attend court but it is not necessary that both stay for the entire time of travel. Families may elect to stay in a recommended hotel or with one of our Russian host families.
Travel (Mari El)
Mari El requires two trips. Four to eight weeks after submitting a completed dossier, you will travel for the first time for about 2-4 days. During this stay, a court date is set for your return in approximately 4-8 weeks. The second trip is 7-14 days in country. For each trip, our Moscow contact will get you on the overnight train to Mari El. Our contact in Mari El will greet you at the other end, take you to the hotel, guide you throughout the remaining process and provide a driver and translator throughout your stay. On the second trip, you return to Mari El for court and then leave for home through Moscow after visa processing.
The Process
Under our guidance, adoptive parents complete their home study, obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approval and build a dossier of documents needed for a Russian adoption. Adoptions are processed through independently or through an agency accredited by the Russian authorities. Parents may request any additional information before formally accepting the child referral. The adoption is finalized in court in Russia. Currently four post placement reports are required and Russia also requires that children be registered as adopted in Moscow or upon their arrival in the U.S.
Fees and Expenses
Program fees encompass all professional services, both here and in Russia. Parents for older and special needs children are always welcome; ask us about the reduced fees for these adoptions. Additional expenses include pre-adoption costs like the CIS fee, fingerprints, the home study, and the cost of documents, as well as post adoption costs like U.S. embassy fees and required post-placement. Adoptive parents are responsible for the cost of any additional child tests and examinations which they may request in Russia. Families pay separately at a pre-arranged daily rate for travel, room and board and for a driver/interpreter. Program fees are reduced when adopting a child over two years of age.
(c) Rev. 11/05
