| When exploring international adoptions, Russian | | | | adoptions. |
| children seem to come up more often than others. It | | | | From start to finish, a Russian adoption takes an |
| is one of the two most popular countries for United | | | | average of nine months. The process starts with a |
| States families to adopt from. The reason Russian | | | | home study on the adoptive parents. A social worker |
| adoptions are popular is because it is a poor country | | | | creates a report listing everything they know about |
| that has many children who need homes. Many of | | | | the prospective parents. Once the home study is |
| the children come from teenage mothers or families | | | | finished parents are asked to fill out a dossier, which |
| who are too poor to support a child. These children | | | | is a packet of paperwork that is required by the |
| are kept in institutions while waiting for a home, | | | | Russian government. The dossier should be notarized, |
| which hinders their growth. The good thing to note is | | | | but before you do this, find out when the notary's |
| that with proper care and nurturing, Russian children | | | | stamp expires. Most countries allow a leeway of one |
| bounce back and assimilate well. Before you hop on | | | | year when it comes to this. Once this is finalized, the |
| the first flight to Moscow, there are things to note | | | | adoption agency will send the paperwork to Russia. |
| before starting the adoption process of a Russian | | | | There it will be translated and given to the Russian |
| child. | | | | government. |
| 1. Russians are not immediately available. Russian | | | | Once there is a child ready to be adopted, the |
| children are only allowed to be adopted domestically | | | | Russian government will inform you that there is a |
| for six months from the date they are put up for | | | | match. Parents have to go to pick up the referral in |
| adoption. Only then, will they be allowed to be | | | | front of the Russian Ministry of Education. It includes |
| adopted internationally. This allows the child a chance | | | | a video of the prospective child and any pertinent |
| to remain in their own country with people of the | | | | information such as medical history. There is a |
| same background. However, if a suitable family | | | | possibility that parents are not content with the |
| cannot be found, Russian children will get a chance at | | | | referral. The adoption agency will work with you in |
| a life with a family from another country. | | | | finding the right one. |
| 2. Fees for Russian adoptions are not cheap. Fees are | | | | When you are pleased with the referral, the adoption |
| in the $20,000 range. Note that this does not include | | | | agency will contact the proper authorities. The |
| travel expenses, visas and similar documents. This | | | | correct documents are prepared and you will then be |
| sum is usually just for adoption agency. | | | | informed on when you can meet the child. Usually, a |
| 3. Not anyone can adopt a Russian child. The | | | | family takes two trips to Russia. The first is to meet |
| government only allows single mothers or married | | | | the adopted Russian child. This trip lasts about a |
| couples to adopt. | | | | week. The second trip is for a court hearing, which is |
| Choosing the right adoption agency is important | | | | usually a few months after the first trip. It takes ten |
| when adopting an international child. Make sure the | | | | days from the date of the hearing for your newly |
| agency specializes in Russian adoptions or at least has | | | | adopted Russian to go home with you. |
| a considerable amount of experience in the field. | | | | Adopting a Russian child may seem like a long wait |
| These agencies will be able to give all pertinent | | | | and a lot of hard work, these are children who will be |
| information when it comes to Russian adoptions. | | | | served better in a loving home. Russian adoptions are |
| They will be to explain the whole process and tell | | | | time consuming, but both parties will be better off in |
| you what to expect. The adoption agencies will be | | | | the end. |
| able handle any questions you have about Russian | | | | |