Russia Adoption Program

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Children:

• Babies 12 months and older at time of referral.
• Boys and girls as well as sibling groups.
• More boys are waiting therefore the wait time is generally faster for a boy.
• Adoption of siblings or unrelated children allowed
• Healthy as possible with minor correctable or special needs

Many of the children in Russian orphanages are placed there by voluntary relinquishment of parental rights due to severe poverty or unemployment. Others are placed in orphanages as a result of termination of parental rights due to abuse or neglect.
Children who are considered as healthy as possible as well as children with special needs are available for adoption. However, it is important to remember that these children have spent the majority of their lives in an orphanage. Many of these children will display physical and mental developmental delays, malnutrition, colds, rashes, bug bites, etc. Medical information can be limited. It is important to remember that diagnoses are made with limited equipment and under a different diagnostic system. For the most part, these children meet average developmental milestones within one year of placement with their adoptive families. Most Russian children are Caucasian; however, occasionally a child of Asian heritage is available for adoption.

Process for Russian Adoption

The mini dossier consists of those documents that are submitted to the Ministry of Science and Education in order for a family to receive a referral. Once your mini dossier is submitted it generally takes 6-12 months to receive a referral, based on the age, gender and health condition of the child requested and the number of children available for adoption at that particular time.

The child referral will consist of the month and year of the child’s birth, very brief medical information and at least one photo. You will receive a more comprehensive medical report on your child referral when you are in Russia. Approximately 1-4 weeks after a family receives a referral they will travel to Russia on their first trip to meet the child or children. Families will usually spend a week in Russia on first trip.

Once back in the US, families will begin working on their main dossier. The main dossier is a compilation of documents that are required for a family to be assigned a court date. After the main dossier is submitted to the court and the judge has reviewed the dossier a family is assigned a court date. Courts are usually held 1-2 months after the dossier has been received by the court. Families will usually spend three to four weeks in Russia on their 2nd trip.

After the court hearing the 10-day waiting period begins. Judges rarely waive the 10-day waiting period. Families will know the judge’s decision on the day of court but under Russian law families must wait 10 days before the adoption is officially and legally recognized.

At the end of the 10 day waiting period families will be given their child or children’s new birth certificate(s), adoption certificate(s), and court decree. You will also apply for a Russian passport for your child or children.

Our Services When Adopting from Russia

Once your application has been approved and accepted you will be assigned a dossier specialist who will assist you in preparing your mini and main dossiers. They will also assist with travel arrangements including flight, itinerary, visas and travel tips.
Communication is one of our many strengths. Your dossier specialist will be available to you by phone and email. Messages will be returned within 24 hours.
While you are in Russia, your dossier specialist will communicate with you by phone or through email. Before you travel to Russia you will be provided all contact numbers of our staff as well as our in-country staff.

Due to the nature of international adoptions, the requirements, timelines and fees are subject to change without notice.