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 Cheboksary is one of our recently opened regions. Thought we’ve just started our adoption program here, we already have established good contacts with official authorities in this region. We also glad to say that there are many wonderful children available for adoption.
Cheboksary is the capital of Chuvash Republic, an independent Subject of the Russian Federation (similar to the States in the US). The Republic is not large, but one of the most densely populated regions with population of 1.35 million people, about 450 000 of them are inhabitants of Cheboksary City.
Cheboksary was first mentioned in written sources in 1469. The city has its own ancient Red Square similar to the one in Moscow! The Republic has a fascinating cultural heritage, a result of the ethnic Chuvash folk presence in the region. While Russian is the predominant business language, the Chuvash language is still spoken by many, especially in the country.
The capital is situated on the bank of the river Volga, which makes it quite humid during winter months. The climate of the region is continental, there are four defined seasons with moderately cold but snowing Winter (6-10F average), nice Spring, warm Summer (66-72F average) and frequently changing weather during Fall.
The city has a lot of tourist’s attractions: you can take a boat trip across Volga river or walk along Efremov Merchant Street with its shops and cafes, visit the Church of Resurrection, the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Nunnery or The Beer Museum (there is a bar at the museum where you can try different types of Russian beer, but may we suggest you to go there only after you finalize your adoption).
If you want to know more about Chuvashia Republic, please, visit the following page, and about Cheboksary city - this page.
Below you’ll find detailed information about adoption process along with some facts about the travel, hotels, documents, etc. Please, always keep in mind, the plan we propose is just a plan. Every adoption case is unique, some changes in the procedure will occur in each and every case. Please, think about how flexible and tolerant to changes you can be. Once in the region, try to stay open, go with the flow and listen to yourself. Trust our coordinators and let them do their job, they are high professionals. Think of adoption as of a GOAL-ORIENTED process. There might be bumps on the road, but at the end you'll have your child in your arms, and that is what matters.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Cheboksary city is conveniently located about 435 ml (700 km) from Moscow. Therefore, the most convenient (and money-wise) way to get there is by train. There is a night train which leaves Moscow in the evening at 8:42pm and arrives at Cheboksary next morning at 8:38 am. It has coaches comfortable to sleep on and cabins for two passengers. It will cost you 4000-4500 rubles for a round trip, which is about $175-200 per person one way.
There is one direct flight from Moscow to Cheboksary leaving every day at 9:45pm. It takes only one hour to get there; thought it costs $300-380 per person for economy class and $770 for business class. Please, be informed that due to airlines policies, airfare variety, US Dollar rate, etc. prices may go higher. It is usually very difficult to get tickets for this flight on a short notice, although, if you are strictly against Russian trains, we can organize you plane tickets, just let us know in advance.
1ST VISIT:
You will arrive to Cheboksary city in the morning together with CHI Cheboksary Regional Coordinator. Our driver will meet you at the train station and accompany you to the hotel, which is booked for you. There are three nice hotels in Cheboksary: Rossiya Hotel(ru)* and Chuvashiya Hotel(ru)* situated in the very center of the city, just 2 miles away from the train station. These typical soviet stile hotels have been recently renovated and offer plenty of guest-rooms and facilities for you to rest (TV, long-distance phone, mini-fridge, shower, etc.). Prices are moderate (this is the best hotels’ feature) – you’ll pay $90-130 per night. A little bit more upscale Atal Hotel(ru)* conveniently located as well, has bigger rooms, AC, Wi-Fi internet, hair-drier, room service, etc. for $150-220 per night. Please, do not book the hotel in the region. Our regional coordinator will reserve a hotel for you based on the convenience to your adoption plan. If you have specific requests for the hotel, please, let us know in advance.
*(ru) - russian language web-site
After arrival to the region you will have time to rest, refresh yourself and have a breakfast. You coordinator will tell you the exact time to meet with her, as she will accompany you to the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education. She will give you the guidelines and itinerary for your visit and explain what to expect at the official meetings, for example, what to wear, how to address the orphanage personnel, officials, etc.
Your adoption process will start with the visit to the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education. The officials at the MOE are in charge to select a child; it is their conclusion based on your documents, home-study and your requests. Once you’ll receive a referral at the MOE you'll be allowed to go to the orphanage to meet with your child.
There are several orphanages in Chuvashia region, we mostly work with 3 of them. The closest one is located in the city and the others are in about 2-3 hours drive, depending on the roads’ conditions. During spring and fall heavy rains may damage local roads which makes driving slow and difficult.
Visits to the orphanage take two days before you make your Petition to the Court for adoption, which means you have to stay in the region 3 days total. During this time you will have you interpreter and driver accompanying you during entire adoption process. You will be able to meet with doctors, nurses, teachers working with you child and talk to them.
BE SURE TO ASK ALL PERTINENT QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR CHILD'S HISTORY AND MEDICAL INFORMATION WHILE YOU ARE VISITING THE ORPHANAGE. Be prepared that some information may be missing. The officials' goal is that the adoptive parents are informed as much as possible before making their decision. Be prepared to answer some questions about your family and your motivation for adoption as well.
!!!ATTENTION!!!
You have a right to an independent medical examination of your child. If you choose to do so, expect to pay for the doctor's visit in cash. Please, inform us ahead of time so that we can arrange it.
If, for some severe medical reason, you feel that you cannot adopt your first referred child, you will then get a second referral in the region. Our goal is that a family will not leave Russia without a positive decision about a child. However, this may cause you to stay in the region longer than originally planned. That is why purchasing exchangeable airline tickets back to the United States is so important.
Be sure to take pictures of yourself with the child, as you would have to show them at the court.
We suggest, especially for families adopting children over the age of two, to prepare a small photo album with pictures to leave with your child. These may be photos of yourselves, your children if any, of the room you have prepared for your child, a family activity shot, photos of your home and pets if any. If you can bring some toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, this could be helpful! Just ask orphanage personal if you can feed your child with cookies or whatever you have, in case she/he is allergic. Do not feed the child with any unfamiliar food or drinks, as this may cause stomach problems.
By the regional law your court day may be assigned in about 2 months.
2nd VISIT:
Both parents must be present to see and receive the child, and to attend the Court Hearing. Ask your social worker in the USA what documents must be updated for your second visit to Russia. Please check if your fingerprint record is still valid.
During your second visit you will have the Court Hearing. The regional law requires you to arrive to the region at least one day to spend with your child before court. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court. The court hearing usually lasts the whole day from 9am to 5pm on and off with recess and lunch breaks. In most of cases the 10-days waiting period is no longer waived in the Chuvash Republic, unless the child has serious medical problems. This decision about the waiting period is made by the judge only at the time of the court hearing. If 10-days waiting period is enforced, the orphanage director makes the decision whether the child can be in custody of adoptive parents before the waiting period is over. If the child must stay at the orphanage, the adoptive parents will have the opportunity to visit with the child few times during the waiting period or they can choose to leave for the US and come back again in 10 days to pick up a child (in this case it means third trip).
NOTE: We strongly recommend that you adhere very closely to the same diet and routine for the child until after you are back home - and then change it gradually and under medical supervision. Ask your CHI representative to help you buy some Russian formula, if needed, before taking your baby on the plane back home. Don't forget to bring a warm outfit for your child: from October until April a snowsuit would be appropriate together with warm underwear, tights, hats, gloves and warm winter boots.
On 11th day the child will become officially yours once you receive the COURT DECREE. Next day you’ll spend on applying and obtaining all the necessary documents, such as: the ADOPTION CERTIFICATE, the NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE and the INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT for your child. These documents are extremely important. Be sure to keep them in a safe place all the time. Your CHI Regional Representative and driver will accompany you during the whole period of time spent in Cheboksary helping you with all official steps.
NOTE: Our representatives are usually very busy working on the family's behalf to complete the last minute documents for the court and, after the court, to obtain the new identification documents for your child. During this period of time you may see your interpreter/driver more often than the representative, but be assured that he/she is reachable if you run into some problems.
The procedure of adoption is to be completed in Moscow.
You will have to stay in Moscow for 2 - 3 days more to have a medical examination of your child and visit the American Embassy for Immigration Visa for your child. We provide qualified help during this process as well. Please, check the information about the continuation of the adoption process in Moscow – link Adoption info on the left side-bar.
CHI Russian team wishes you a nice trip to Cheboksary!
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