|
We are excited to introduce you our new region Udmurtia with its capital city Izhevsk!
 It is one of CHI recently opened regions and we are glad to inform you so far we have very positive outcome from this region!
Please, take a time to read about this region and this city.
Here are just a few facts about Udmurtia region: it is relatively small region of the Russian Federation with a maximum extent from North to South of about 250 miles. The population of the whole region is 1,5 million people with over 630 000 inhabitants living in the main city Izhevsk. The city was founded in 1760 and for many years has been having a restricted access for foreign people, due to the large amount of military manufacturing there. It is known as a native city of Mikhail Kalashnikov, a famous creator for AK-47 rifle. Although Udmurtia can be described as mostly industrial region of Russia (a great number of military and machinery construction, oil, gas and chemicals productions), it is a cultural center as well. Piotr Chaikovsky, a famous composer was born here. There are several museums, monuments, churches and cathedrals, nice embankment, etc. in Izhevsk nowadays.
The nature here is magnificent: Kama river is beautiful, National Park is huge, plenty of opportunities for recreation, fishing, hiking, etc. The climate is moderate continental with warm summers and cold snowy winters. The average temperature in June is around 65-70F and in January it is around 5-10F but may drop lower occasionally.
Below you’ll find detailed information about adoption process, 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 you can be. Once in the region try to stay open, go with the flow and listen to yourself. Trust CHI Regional Representatives and let them do their job, they are high professionals. Think of adoption as of 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:
There are two daily flights from Moscow to Izhevsk, which last only 2 hours and cost about $230-250 per one person one way. Please, be informed, prices differ due to airlines variety, fairs, us dollar rate, etc. There are several trains Moscow-Izhevsk every day as well; the most convenient and comfortable one leaves Moscow at 6pm and after 16 hours arrives in Izhevsk next day around 11am. The price is the same, but due to the fact that this is an overnight train, you’ll save on the hotel.
1st VISIT:
You will be met at the airport/train station by the CHI interpreter and driver; they will take you to the hotel and help you to check in. There is a choice of several hotels to stay in Izhevsk: “Arena”, “Deryabin”, “Uralskaya” and “Telecom”. All of the hotels are nice and clean, most rooms have TV, phone, fridge, some rooms equipped with a kitchenette and internet. Prices include breakfast and vary from $120 to $185 (“Telecom)” plus $20 booking fee. We insist that you DO NOT BOOK a room yourself as not all of the hotels provide a registration for foreigners. The CHI Regional Representatives will reserve a hotel room for you in advance considering the convenience to your adoption plan. So it will be hard to make any changes once you arrive. If you have any special requests or suggestions, please contact our main office in St. Louis and we’ll do our best to meet them.
On the day you arrive the CHI Izhevsk Representative will meet you at the hotel and provide you with the guidelines and itinerary for your visit. We will also explain what to expect at the official meetings, for example, what to wear, how to address officials, the orphanage personnel, the judge, etc.
The next day you will be scheduled to visit the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education to get the referral. You will go to the orphanage to meet with your child right after that or next day; it depends on the orphanage’s location. There are several orphanages in the region, we mostly work with three of them: one in Izhevsk city, two others are in the country located in Votkinsk town (40miles) and Glazov town (125miles).
If your child is residing in Glazov town orphanage, please, be prepared to travel there another 3 hours (due to dreadful roads’ conditions). We also suggest on your second trip you stay at the hotel in Glazov, as it will be much more convenient and less tiring then to spend 6 hours every day on the road.
You are required to spend 4-5 days during your first visit in the region, so you will have time not only to get acquainted with the child but also to get as much as possible of information about him or her. You will be able to meet with doctors, caregivers, teachers and other people who work with your child.
MAKE 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.
ATTENTION
You have a right for an independent medical examination of your child. If you choose to do so, expect to pay for the doctor's visit.
If, for some severe medical reason, you feel that you cannot adopt your first referred child, you will then get a second referral. 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 or move to different region. 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 the child. These could be photos of you, your children if any, of the room you have prepared for your child, a family activity shot, your home, and of your family pets. Don’t forget to bring some toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets (age appropriate) for your meetings with the child!
The regional law requires you to go through medical examination in Russia. You have a choice to do it in Moscow or in the region (which is cheaper and more convenient), therefore, plan to spend at least a week in Russia during your first trip.
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 fingerprints record is still valid.
During your second visit you will need to arrive 4 days before the court hearing; these days you’ll spend visiting your child at the orphanage. On the fifth day the court hearing will take place. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court beforehand. The court hearing usually lasts about 2-3 hours depending on the case. The judges has a right to waive 10 days waiting period and grant you the Court Decision immediately if you provide documents demonstrating essential circumstances to waive it. Depending on judge's decision you may stay in the region from 6 to 17 days on your second trip.
Having the Court Decision in your hands you'll need to apply and collect other necessary documents, such as:
- the ADOPTION CERTIFICATE
- the NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE with child's new name
- INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT for for your child
Your interpreter, driver and CHI Regional Representative will accompany you during these legal steps providing help and support.
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 a translator more than the representative, but be assured that he/she is reachable if you run into some problems.
As soon as you receive all the documents the child is officially yours and you have the right to pick up him/her from the orphanage!
NOTE: We strongly recommend that you adhere very closely to the same diet and routine for the child until 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.
The procedure of adoption is to be completed in Moscow.
You will have to stay in Moscow for 2 - 3 days more to get a medical examination of your child and visit the American Embassy in order to get an 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.
We are looking forward to meet your in Izhevsk!
|
|
|
