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Dear adoptive parents and friends!
We are very glad to introduce you our new region - Yaroslavl. This one of the oldest cities in Russia was founded in 1010 (according to the city’s legend) and first mentioned in written sources in 1071. During 17th century it used to be Russia’s capital de facto and it was second largest city during that time.
 In 2002 the population of Yaroslavl was about 613 000 inhabitants. Today, Yaroslavl is an important industrial center (petrochemical plant, tire manufacturing plant, diesel engines plant and many others). Great Russian river Volga flows across the territory of the Yaroslavl Region connecting the coastal areas of 6 seas: the Baltic Sea, the White Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and to the Mediterranean. The total area of the Yaroslavl Region is 36 400 km2 (8,994,440 acres) includes a number of towns famous for their history and architectural ensembles (Rostov, Rybinsk, Uglich, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, Myshkin, etc). It has sister city in States – Burlington, Vermont state.
Yaroslavl city is the administrative center and the largest city of Yaroslavl Region. It is conveniently located 280 km (approx. 175 miles) from Moscow and 850 km (approx. 530 miles) from St. Petersburg. The city is reach with historical buildings, churches and monasteries and включен Russia’s Golden Ring Excursion. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky ("Transfiguration of the Saviour") Monastery is one for the great examples of so called Yaroslavl type churches (built of red brick, with bright tiled exteriors). You can see the picture of Yaroslavl and its founder on Russian 1000 rubles banknote (appr. $30).
The climate here is almost the same as in Moscow. Long winter with average temperature around -11C (11 F), rainy spring, warm summer (65 F average) and short spring – this is continental-temperate climatic zone.
Due to favorable location (close enough to Moscow to be easy accessible but far enough to keep its own identity) we hope our parents will enjoy their stay in Yaroslavl during the adoption process. Please, visit this page for more information about Yaroslavl region.
HOW TO GET THERE
On your arrival to the Moscow international airport “Sheremetievo-2” you will be met by CHI Yaroslavl Representative. As soon as you pass the passport control and customs go through the sliding doors and look for a sign “Children’s Hope International”. Our professional driver together with CHI Regional Representative will wait for you there to take you to Yaroslavl city. Your trip from Moscow to Yaroslavl will last approximately 3-4 hours (depending upon the weather and traffic). You’ll be offered a comfortable car for this drive.
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 different, 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 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.
When you are in the region, we will provide you with the exact information regarding your stay. You will need to come to Yaroslavl region three times, but always for a short period of time: 2 days for the first trip to meet with a child, 2 days for the second trip for the Court Hearing and 5 days for the third trip. to get official documents and pick up a child.
1st VISIT:
On the same day of your arrival to Moscow International airport we will take you to the hotel in Yaroslavl, where a room is booked for you in advance. There are two hotels in Yaroslavl which we suggest for our parents to use. Ring Premier Hotel is one of the best hotels in the region and it has high reports. Please, check the link http://www.ringpremier-hotel.ru/en/welcome.html to have more information about this hotel. The average hotel cost for standard room at this hotel is $135 per night including breakfast (price may differ due to dollar rate). All rooms are equipped with air conditioner, safe-box, mini bar, phone, TV, bathroom with heated floors and hair-drier. If you need double or family suite, please, expect to pay more and let us know in advance about your preferences. Do not book a hotel yourself. The CHI regional Representative will book a hotel room for you in advance in convenience to your adoption plan. It will be hard to make any changes once you arrive, therefore if you have any special requests or suggestions, please contact our main office in St. Louis. Second option is Medvezii Ugol Hotel. There are budget rooms at this hotel (called “standard double” at $70 per night) but we suggest you to choose Lux Double at $120-130 with much better facilities.
Attention! Credit cards (American Express, Visa and Master Card) are NOT accepted to make payments!
You will have time to rest at the hotel and the CHI Regional Representative will provide you with 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.
Next morning your Regional Representative will go the Ministry of Education to receive a referral. You do not need to be present at the MOE for this. Next day upon you arrival get ready to go to the orphanage from the hotel. There is one orphanage located within the city for children aged 0 to 3 years old.
The meeting with your child can last for several hours (by your choice and as allowed).
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!
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 in the region. Our goal is that a family will not leave their region in 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. 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 helpful!
You will be able to communicate with your child every day while you are in the region. During your stay you will have the CHI regional coordinator working on your behalf and a professional interpreter to accompany you. You will be provided with local transportation for all adoption activities. For your leisure time you may ask you driver to accompany you at additional price or call a taxi from your hotel.
On your request, we can arrange your visit to Moscow, though on your first trip there is no necessity except being a tourist.
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.
Again you will arrive to Moscow international airport and CHI driver will meet you there to take you to the hotel. You need to come to Moscow one day before the Court Hearing to do Parents’ Medical Evaluation at one of the Moscow Clinics. The CHI Moscow staff will arrange it for you next day. We suggest you to book one of the Hotels in Moscow (see page Hotels) from the list on you choice. Once you are done with Medical Evaluation you may leave for Yaroslavl. Most probably same day late evening you’ll be in Yaroslavl to have good night rest before the Court Hearing. Our CHI Regional Representative will tell you what questions are typically asked in court and prepare you for the procedure.
The court hearing will be the next day. It won’t last too long – approximately one hour or more. In most of cases the 10-days waiting period is no longer waived in Yaroslavl region, 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. During this time the child must stay at the orphanage, adoptive parents may come and visit the child after the Court hearing.
3rd VISIT:
You’ll need to come back to Yaroslavl for the third time after 10-days waiting period is over. This visit you’ll need to spend collecting official documents for your child, such as:
Court Decree
Adoption Certificate
New Birth Certificate
Child’s Passport for International Travel
In order to collect these important papers you’ll need to visit Vital Statistic Office, Passport Office, etc. Our CHI Regional Representative will accompany you during this, you’ll be provided with transportation as well. These documents are very important. Keep them in a safe place and never put it in your luggage.
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.
Having the Court Decree in your hands gives you the right to co to the orphanage to pick up your child!
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 food, if needed, before taking your child on the plane back home. Don't forget to bring a warm outfit for your child: from October till April a snowsuit would be appropriate.
Issuing child’s passport takes 3 days (mind that Passport office is closed on Monday). Altogether you will need to stay in the region 5-6 days during your third trip.
As soon as you receive all the documents we will escort you to Moscow where the process of adoption will be finalized.
You will need to stay in Moscow at least 2 business days for Pre-Visa Medical Examination of your child and interview at the American Embassy. The American Embassy requests all immigrants to proceed medical examination and have an interview with US Embassy official. We provide qualified help during this process as well. Please, read Adoption Info on the left-side bar for details.
We’ll try our best for you to have an excellent adoption experience in our region!
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