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 Welcome to Moscow region!
Although your adoption will take place in the Moscow region you will stay in Moscow and most of the process is handled within the limits of this wonderful city. To obtain more information on the city, check this page and read some interesting information about our region.
Thought Moscow city is rather old (founded in 1147) the Moscow region is relatively new (founded in October, 1929). The region is huge, it occupies the territory of 47 square kilometers in the basins of the Volga River, Oka River, Klyazma River and Moskva River. The area is larger than the whole territory of counties of Denmark or Switzerland. Another specific of this region is that the historical and administrative center of Moscow region is the capital of Russia - the city of Moscow.
The population of the Moscow region is over 6 million people. It's 4.5% of all the population of Russia Federation and the majority lives in small towns. In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the Moscow region is an independent subject of the Russian Federation.
The Moscow region is considered to be "the heart" of the European part of Russia. It's the junction of air, water and land routes of Russia. It's known as one of the largest scientific and agricultural regions of our country.
The Moscow region is a real legend of Russian history. Here you can find over five thousand monuments of architecture, history and culture. They are closely connected with the names of famous Russian painters, composers, writers and actors. Every little town has something interesting and historic.
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 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 HERE:
You will arrive to Moscow International Airports “Sheremetievo-2” or “Domodedovo” airport. Our interpreter with a driver will meet you there, take you to the Hotel, and help you to check in. There are several nice hotels in Moscow city, but be prepared, all of them are very expensive. We do not recommend you to stay at any other hotel not from the list, because the location might not be safe or not convenient to your adoption plan. Please, study the page Hotels on the left-side bar of this web-site.
1ST VISIT
There are several definite steps in the process of adoption in the Moscow region. The CHI Moscow Representative will 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 the orphanage personnel and the judge, etc.
First of all, next morning upon your arrival you will go to the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education of the Moscow region. The specialists of adoption and children's placement will tell you about your rights and responsibilities as adoptive parents. There you will be given the first available information about the child (age, name, juridical status, basic medical history). If you are satisfied with the information provided, you will be handed the referral and may then go to the orphanage to meet the child personally.
The officials of custody and trusteeship found over three thousand orphans and children left without parental care. In accordance with the Law of the Russian Federation these children are placed with adoptive families or foster families and only if this is impossible then they are transferred to the orphanages or boarding schools. In the Moscow region there are 8 orphanages (called Baby-Homes), where 700 children stay up to age of three-four years old. And about 4000 older orphans live in regional Children's Homes. These orphanages located throughout the region and the drive may be one to four hours. Please, be prepared, the traffic in Moscow is very heavy and chaotic, expect lots of traffic jams at any time of the day.
In compliance with Moscow region regulations adoptive parents shall see the child during no less than three days on their first visit to Russia. Plan to stay in Moscow for 4-6 days during your first trip. We think that meetings with the chief doctor of the orphanage and with the caregivers are also very useful, as they can provide information about the health, interests, and behavior of the child.
BE SURE TO ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR CHILD'S HISTORY AND MEDICAL INFORMATION WHILE AT THE ORPHANAGE. But be prepared that some information may be missing. The officials' goal is that the adoptive parents are informed as much as possible to help them make their decision.
Be prepared to answer some questions about your family and your motivation for adoption.
ATTENTION!
If you have any concerns about the state of health of the child you have the right to make an independent medical examination. In Moscow there are several Medical Centers, where you can do that. If you choose to do so, expect to pay for the doctor's visit in cash. 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 their region in Russia until a positive decision about a child is made. 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. Include some photos of yourself, your other children if any, of the room you have prepared for this child, a family activity shot, your home, and family pets. If you can bring to the orphanage some toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, you'll see this will be very much appreciated!
As soon as you make a final decision to adopt you will go to the notary office to certify the necessary applications to the Moscow regional court.
The Russian Law says the judge has the right to study the adoption case for two months and request any additional documents. Once all the documents collected, she/he will set the court hearing date. Please, expect 2-3 months between your first and second 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 fingerprint record is still valid.
For the second visit you have to arrive three days before the court hearing and spend this time with your child. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court. We are glad to tell you that the court hearing never lasts too long – about an hour or so. The petition to wave 10-day waiting period is not granted any more in Moscow region unless the child has severe medical issues. On the 11th day you will be able to get a copy of the Court Decree and the rest of the documents, such as the Adoption Certificate
the Birth Certificate for your child. The amended birth certificate is usually issued in the town of the child's residence by the local authorities, please, be prepared to travel to different places in the region collecting all the necessary documents for your child. Of course, the CHI Regional Representative will organize everything and your interpreter will accompany you during all legal steps. Please, keep in mind that all of these documents are extremely important. Be sure to keep them in a safe place.
You may pick up your child from the orphanage or hospital same day you have all the documents ready.
NOTE: We strongly recommend that you adhere very closely to the same diet and routine for the child until after you are back at 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 next step is to apply for the INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT for your child. To sum it up, after the 10-day waiting period you will need to stay in Moscow 4-5 days more to complete all the necessary paperwork; this makes it altogether 17-19 days in the region during your second trip.
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 more than the representative, but be assured that he/she is reachable if you run into some problems.
The following step is preparation for the Immigration Visa interview in the US Embassy. You will have to fill out some forms and the CHI representative will help you put together all the documents and submit them to the Embassy. A medical examination of the child, which is required by the US Embassy, can be done the day before the interview or in some special cases on the same day.
The interview at the US Embassy is the final step of the adoption process. Usually the interviews are scheduled from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. In the morning the CHI representative will submit your documents to the US Embassy and get the appointment for the interview. The interview itself usually lasts from 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the number of adoptive families invited to the Embassy on that day.
Dear Adoptive Parents! We wish you to complete the procedure of adoption as soon as possible. But we find it very important to warn you that different delays are possible:
- The decision of the court can be made in ten days. It means that you will be permitted to obtain all the necessary documents for the child only in ten days after the court hearing.
- The decision of the court can be appealed against within ten days. This line in the court decree may cause the delay in getting the passport of adopted child. The shortest possible time for getting the passport is three days.
But in any case the CHI Moscow team will support you and will try to make your stay in Moscow smooth and enjoyable.
We wish you all the best and looking forward to have you here in Moscow!
   
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