Adopting from Russia through CHI

1. Children of all ages are waiting for adoption in Russia. Historically, more boys are available than girls. We also have many special needs and older children available, too.

2. All the children come from orphanages or baby hospitals.

3. It may be approximately 12-24 months after all documents are submitted to Children's Hope International before you make your first trip to meet your child. This also depends on your child preference. For girls the wait time is longer than for boys. You get to make a journey of love to Russia to see your child - a challenging but a wonderful experience. The first trip is approximately a one week stay. 

4.  We will make arrangements for you inside Russia, including airport transfers and hotel reservations.

5. You will be met and assisted the entire time by our Russian Coordinators who are  caring and knowledgeable about the whole adoption process. A translator and a driver will be there to assist you.

6. You will return to Russia approximately 2-3 months after the first trip for the court hearing and to bring your child home. You will stay in Russia about 2-3 weeks before returning home.

7. The adoption is completed in Russia.

REQUIREMENTS

1. There are no age requirements, however most adoptive parents are 25 to 55 years of age. If you are over 45 years old, typically  the child referred to you will be over 18 months old. Please talk to a CHI Representative in your area for more specific information about the ages of the children.

2. Single women are permitted to adopt. Russia requires that single women show evidence of above average financial ability and a plan for the care of the child if they work. Single women are also required to submit a psychiatric evaluation for the Russian Government and are only allowed to adopt one child at a time.

3. If you are divorced more than two times, you may have more difficulties in adopting from Russia.

PROCEDURE

1. Fill out the application which can be downloaded in our forms section.

2. We will send you a Russian Adoption Guide which gives step-by-step procedures.

3.  A CHI Adoption Consultant  will walk you through every step in preparing your paperwork.  You will have instant and constant access to CHI Family NetŪ after your application is approved.  Pre-adoption courses are available without charge along with all resources for preparation, travel, and post-adoption questions.  Available 24 hours a day online.

4. Your Dossier (Documented papers) will be sent to our offices in Russia. 

5.  A child will be identified for you (Referral) and an invitation will be sent from Russia for you to make your first trip to meet your child.

6. The family gives the acceptance of the referral directly to the adoption officials while in Russia.
7. After returning to the United States, a Court Date will be assigned to you by legal authorities in Russia. Both parents must be present at the court hearing.

8. Travel arrangements can be made by CHI for both parents, if married, to fly to Moscow, where they will be met by our Travel Coordinator.

9.  If your referral is not in Moscow, you will be placed on a flight, or train or car, depending on the region your child is in, usually after staying one night in Moscow.

10. You will be met by the CHI Regional Adoption Coordinator who will have made all arrangements and appointments for you - guiding and accompanying you through all formalities.

11. You will return to Moscow where formalities are concluded and again met by the CHI Coordinator there who will guide you through final formalities in the U.S. Embassy.

12. You will fly home! CHI personnel and the CHI Family NetŪ will be available to you for assistance with what to do when you return home - and for as long as you need us.

13. Post Placement process begins.

COST

1. The estimated total cost of the Adoption NOT including travel is:  $21,000―$28,000. (If you are interested in adopting a child over 36 months or a child or children with special needs, please talk with our staff about a reduction in fees).

2. Approximate travel cost for 2 people/2 trips (not paid to agency):  $9,000―$15,000

PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS A FEDERAL AND STATE TAX
CREDIT THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU

The above costs do not include CIS application fee, local home study, fees for apostilling and translation/authentication or post-placement reports.

Steps 1-2-3  for adopting in Russia

Download  the All Guide for all Programs and the Russia Profile

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