Russia Adoption

An Overview

Russia sent 2,310 children to the United States in 2007, making it the third largest sending country. Despite economic reforms that have taken place since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, many families in former Soviet nations struggle to survive. An estimated 600,000 children live "without parental care" in Russia. About one-third live in institutions; the rest typically live with guardians, or under police jurisdiction. Poverty is a factor in most relinquishments. Two groups of children are typically available: babies relinquished in the hospital at birth to orphanages, and older children who were removed from their families because of neglect. Sibling groups are available.

Two trips to Russia are required to adopt from most regions there, although one in three families who adopted in 2006 and 2007 report having to make three or more trips since most courts weren't waiving the 10-day waiting period after the court date.

Russia, known for somewhat strict health requirements for potential adoptive parents, has recently begun to enforce those rules more stringently. Some regions require that parents have eight medical specialists sign off on their medical forms. This can often be completed at a one-day appointment in Russia, at clinics that are familiar with the process, though some regions require that the forms are completed in the U.S. prior to the trip. Parents considering adopting from Russia should speak to their adoption service provider about any past or present health concerns that may disqualify them, and about the specific requirements for the region.

For a list of U.S. adoption agencies accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science in Russia, see the website of the Russian embassy: russianembassy.org. Americans adopting from Russia will either work directly with one of these accredited agencies or with a local adoption agency that, in turn, works with an agency accredited by Russia.

For an upcoming Russian conference provided by Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adopion click here: FRUA's 5th Annual Conference, Focus on Education and Development: Equipping our Children for Success.

Fast Facts:

Number of Adoptions from Russia:
2007: 3,710
2006: 3,706
2005: 4,639
2004: 5,878
2003: 5,209
2002: 4,939

Profile of Children Adopted From Russia in 2006:
Source: INS Immigration Statistics
49% Female
7% under 1 year of age
65% 1 – 4 years of age

Estimated Cost: $35,000+
Profile of Children: 6 months to 16 years; in 2006, 65% were between 1 and 4 years old; 27% were 5 years and over. Sibling groups and children with special needs are available.
Parent Ages: No age restrictions by Russian government, except that prospective single parents must be at least 16 years older than the child they are adopting.
Family Status: The Russian government has no rules about length of marriage or number of children in the household. Singles are permitted to adopt.
Travel: Usually two trips required, one to accept the referral and one to complete the adoption. Most regions require both parents to see the child before the referral is accepted, but one parent can make the second trip.
Timeline: From completed dossier to referral, about 6 to 12 months, though currently irregular.

Helpful articles from Adoptive Families Magazine:

• Our Journey to Lucy by Christina Frank and Josh Lerman
• The Russian Word for Snow: An Adoption Story by Janis Cooke Newman
• Someone to Watch Over Me by Janis Cooke Newman
• Adopting Internationally by Susan Freivalds
• A Poodle for Anna by Mary Zisk

To get started in Russia adoption:

• Find an adoption agency with a Russia program through Adoptive Families' searchable database
• Join a parent support group near you that includes families who've adopted in Russia: Try Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
  Or search Adoptive Families' support group database
• Find a pre-adoption information meeting through Adoptive Families' searchable events database.

Consult these helpful books for families adopting in Russia:

• Adopting in Russia: Your Rights and the Law by Irina Mikhailovna O'Rear
• Russian Adoption Handbook: How To Adopt A Child From Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan by John H. Maclean
• The Russian Word for Snow: A True Story of Adoption by Janis Cooke Newman

Best online information sources for Russia pre-adopters:

• U.S. Department of State - Adoption in Russia
  
• Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
  The website of the national parent support group contains useful information about Russia adoption.
• Eastern European Adoption Coalition, Inc.
  Another website of an adoptive parent support organization.
• See also Adoptive Families' picks for the best websites for pre-adopters
  

Join an online community

• groups.yahoo.com/group/Russian_Adoption
• Eastern European Adoption Coalition Internet Mailing List