Russia Adoption

Russia Adoption

Limited-time fee waivers are available for our Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine programs from June 15 to July 31, 2009! Visit our web page for details.

Spanning eleven time zones and two continents, Russia is the largest country in the world, and it has a lengthy history that is comparable to its size. Contemporary Russian culture still harbors vestiges of the extravagance of old Russia and the somberness of the Soviet era. Marked by frigid winters, winding waterways, rivers and forests full of wildlife, volcanos, and mountains, Russia’s land is as diverse as its population, which ranges from Slavic to Eurasian. Yet there is one commonality among the Russian people that crosses all racial boundaries: their insatiable love for art. Known for being well educated, Russians have gained much acclamation in recent decades for their achievements in figure skating and ballet, and throughout time for the accomplishments of their distinguished musicians and painters.

In 2006, Americans brought 3,706 children from Russia home to their forever families.

Why Choose Russia?

• AAI received a permanent license to work in Russia in July of 2007 and has been working in Russia since 1994
• Preschool- and school-aged children are most readily available
• It is possible to adopt unrelated children at the same time
• Russia is the most active program for Caucasian children in international adoption
• AAI has a very active Russian program with an average of ten families traveling every month
• Single female applicants are accepted
• Our AAI office staff in St. Petersburg works with excellent, trained facilitators in several Russian regions (visit: http://www.adoptassoc.com.ru for regional information)
• AAI has established good working relationships with several clinics located in the U.S. and Russia for referral evaluations
• We have Russian-born consultants on staff in the United States including Alla Goncharova, our Russia program director

Location

The children come from various regions in Russia

Reason for Availability

• Voluntary relinquishment of parental rights due to severe poverty or unemployment
• Parental rights are relinquished by the court due to abuse or neglect
• The parents are deceased

Children's Situation

• The children live in orphanages with trained medical staff.

Eligibility for Families

• Only heterosexual applicants are eligible.
• Married couples (at least one year) or single female applicants are accepted.
• Minimum age of the applicant is twenty-one years old.
• Families with other children in their home are accepted.
• Previous divorce is acceptable.

Procedure

• You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI, then have an International Adoption Awareness meeting with a consultant, and then complete your formal application. You will then complete your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier.
• Upon completion of your dossier, your documents are sent to Russia. The staff in our Russian office translate and authenticate your documents, and then submit them to the Department of Education in the region carefully selected for you by our staff.
• Upon approval, you will take your first trip to Russia to meet the pre-selected child. Your child’s documents are then prepared by the Department of Education and submitted to the court. You then take the second trip to Russia to bring your child home.

Travel

Prospective adoptive parents will take two trips, the first lasting approximately one week, and the second trip lasting approximately two weeks. You will fly into Moscow or St. Petersburg and then travel to the region by train, car, or airplane. Both parents must travel for both trips, however one parent can leave Russia after the court hearing on the second trip.

Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.