Can you answer Stacey’s question about Adoption?:

I was wondering for those that have adopted from Russia and/or Kazakhstan more recently can answer some of my questions below.

1. How many trips did you have to make? and how long were each?
2. Did both parents have to be there for the one or both trips the entire time?
3. Did you feel the process was organized? or does that just depend on your agency that you work with?
4. Did you feel comfortable in the regions you were staying during all your trips?
5. Did any of your children have any serious medical problems that were found out after you returned home?
6. Do you know if you can adopt siblings or just more than one child at once? or do they need to be separate adoptions?
7. Post Placement – I see there are reports that are needed for the first three years… but is it true a report is needed every year until the child is 18? can you do those reports each or does a social worker need to?

Adopting From Kazakhstan

Can you answer smile ! you love me.’s question about Adoption?:

I have a friend who was adopted from Russia this year. She is fourteen. She had a friend back in the orphanage whom has not been adopted yet, and one of my coworkers is looking to adopt another child. She said that she definitely would adopt this girl except in order to adopt a child from Russia she must live in Russia for a month. She has four kids at home and obviously isn’t able to do this. I know that there must be a way to get around this rule. Maybe petitioning someone or something? What could she do?

Families Adoption Agency

Adoption of Russians by North Americans has now come to stay. Parents, who wish to adopt children from Russia, are now being guided by adoption organizations. Children from all age groups are ready to be adopted from Russia .Generally, among these children; the boys outnumber the girls and many kids with special needs and some older children. Children from baby hospitals and orphanages are placed with adoptive families and parents with the help of Children’s Hope International. Such adoption agencies guide these prospective parents with all processes from filling up the applications till the time when the parents take the child with them.

Organizations like the Children’s Hope International are important for process of adoption from of adoption, in Russia or from any other foreign country. CHI, for instance, arranges for travel and stay in Russia for these adoptive parents. Knowledgeable coordinators from Russia assist the parents during their stay .The whole process in Russia is completed there itself meaning, parents will have to go to Russia to complete formalities like court hearing. For those parents who wish to adopt, parents, staying in a foreign nation could be very intimidating. It is then that organizations like CHI come to play. For more details, one can surf the Internet and using one of the many search engines.

There is no age bar for adopting from Russia. But the age group of 25 to 55 years is where lots of the adoptive parents belong to. Generally, parents of age , parents of age 45 years and age 45 years and above are matched wove are matched with children a year old. For adoption from Russia, it is not necessary to be married. Single women, who have good financial status, are also eligible. Moreover, they also have to submit a plan about how to they will look after the adopted child if they are to be employed. A psychiatric evaluation of these women is conducted for the Russian Government. Only one child can be adopted by single women at a time. Attempting to adopt from Russia could be difficult for those couples who are divorcees, being divorced more than twice.

The procedure of adopting from Russia can be expensive for adoptive parents, as expected out of any other foreign country. These parents are responsible for legal fees, medical fees, administrative fees and other expenses necessary for the process. Travel expenses may also be costly for adoptive parents when adopting from Russia as they have to spend considerable amount of time. This is because the procedure takes place in Russia, and they are required to attend the court meetings and other meetings. A price of $30,000 can be expected to be paid by these prospective adoptive parents. Though it sounds like a lot of saving is required, it is no match for the happiness and joy that a child can bring.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Adoption blog:

Guatemala Baby Adoption

Can you answer Tiggers’s question about Adoption?:

Can a single woman adopt a child from Russia or do they have to be married. I am interested in pursuing this in the next few years and would be greatful to know anything about the Russian adoption process, costs associated with it, how the adoption went, and how the child is adjusting to life in the US. Any information is welcome. Would love to hear espically from parents who have recently done international adoptions. Thanks so much!!!

Families Adoption Agency