Russia

Who are the children?

Babies, toddler and older children are all available for adoption. Sibling groups are available. Most of these children are waiting in orphanages and are in good health. Few may have medical problems or developmental delays. Medical and social histories are supplied for each child. Videos are available for most children. Our agency's job is to lend assistance in helping our clients understand the information presented.

How does the process work?
Children's Adoption Network works with more than one placement source. In program one, the children are all from the Moscow region. Photographs and extensive medicals are available. Videos may be requested. Program two works in more than ten (10) regions in Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Videos and medicals are available for each child.

Once you make the decision to commit to a child, we then give your information to our foreign agent so that the local administration may be notified of your plans. This initiates the adoption process in Russia. The local administration than files a formal request to the Central Data Bank in Moscow for the child to be placed with you.

The Moscow office will then assist the local agent in getting the child's release form from the Central Data Bank. This document authorizes the local government to place the child with you.

The next step is the registration and translation of your dossier. ( A dossier is the package of original documents with legal seals on them.) Once the dossier is translated, it is sent by courier to our Moscow office, who in turn forwards your documents to the local agent.

Your dossier will be sent to the local Department of Education for review. They, in turn, will send your dossier to the local court, who will set a hearing date. That date (which should be no more than 30 days from the date the court receives your dossier) will tell us when you will be traveling.

How long is the wait?

All children must be placed on the central registry in Moscow for three months prior to becoming eligible for adoption by U.S. citizens. This allows the opportunity for Russian families to adopt these children before they are eligible to emigrate. Once the three months has been completed, children may now be adopted by foreign citizens.

If you have committed to a child who is now ready and have completed all necessary paperwork for review by the local Ministry of Education, you can in most cases expect placement within the next couple of months.

Do I have to travel?

Yes. The Russian government wants to see the interaction between parents and children to assure themselves that the children will be placed in a loving environment. Adoptive parents who have traveled have found the experience beneficial in many ways. They can ask caregivers questions concerning the child's behavior and routines.

Plan to travel for about a week and a half. You will be spending part of the time in your child's city and then travel to Moscow to secure your child's visa. You will be met at the airport by one of Children's Adoption Network's representatives. All travel and hotel plans will be made for you and interpreters are made available upon request.

Although somewhat flexible, the youngest spouse can be no more than 45 years older than the adopted child. There are no restrictions for religion, race, income, other children,etc..

Single women and men are also eligible for this program. They may be asked for a bit more flexibility in accepting a referral, but this will be taken on a case by case basis.

Total adoption fees range from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the age of the child, medical conditions, number of siblings, etc.. Please e-mail us to request our brochure for more specific information.

Are there families we can talk to?

Yes. Kindly e-mail us with your name, street address, phone and/or e-mail address and we will send you a list of families who have agreed to speak with other adoptive families.

The Anderson's Story:
You can judge how good an agency is by talking with the people who have worked with them. Ask the adoption agencies you check out to provide you with information packets and references from people who have adopted recently. We chose Children's Adoption Network for 4 specific reasons.

Who are the children?	Who is eligible?
How does the process work?	How much does it cost?
How long is the wait?	Are there families we can talk to?
Do I have to travel?	What are families saying about us?