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 We are glad to present you the Astrakhan region. The CHI started its work in Astrakhan region about 3 years ago. We consider Astrakhan as one of our most stable-working regions, it maintained open even during months of slow down during re-accreditation waiting period!
Astrakhan is the administrative center of the Astrakhan region, which also includes 12 other districts and towns, situated in the southeastern part of Russia, about 1000 miles away from Moscow.
The city is located in the Caspian lowlands, on the river Volga, in its highest point. In the west the Astrakhan region borders on Kalmykiya, in the north - on the Volgograd region, in the east - on the country of Kazakhstan. The city is situated on 11 islands and occupies a territory of 500 square kilometers. That is why sometimes it is called a "Russian Venice". Its population is close to 500 000 inhabitants, mostly Russians and Tatars, that is why Asian facial features are quite common here.
Climate in the Astrakhan Region is sharply continental and droughty. Deserts and semi-deserts cover 70 percent of the total land in the region. Comparing with other Russian regions where CHI works, climate in Astrakhan region is the most favorable: summers here are pretty long and winters are short and not very cold. But still you will need good boots, wind-breaking coats, hats, gloves and scarves, layers of clothes from mid November till mid March. The temperature in January ranges from 30 to 13F and the average July temperature is 65-90F.
Astrakhan is one of the oldest Russian towns, it was founded in 1558 and has a long and interesting history. Read more about Astrakhan on the following 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-minded, go with the flow and listen to yourself. Trust in our Regional Representatives and let them do their job, they are 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 this is what matters.
HOW TO GET THERE:
It would take you 18 hours to drive from Moscow to Astrakhan, that is why we suggest you to take a plane. The international airport is located in 20-minute drive from downtown Astrakhan, and provides daily flights to and from Moscow. The flight between Moscow and Astrakhan takes about 2 hours. The approximate one-way ticket price for one person is about $170-230 including commission and airport fees. But we are to inform you that prices may differ due to domestic airlines variety, different types of airplanes, US dollar exchange rate, etc. There is an over-night train from Moscow to Astrakhan also, so if you are strictly against flying Russian domestic airlines, we can arrange you train tickets as well, just tell us in advance.
There are two required trips to the Astrakhan region: the purpose of the first one is to get acquainted with the child, his/her medical conditions and any related documents; the purpose of the second visit is to participate at the Court Hearing about your adoption case.
1st VISIT:
You will be met at the Astrakhan airport by the CHI Regional representative and/or an interpreter and a driver, who will take you to the hotel and help you to check in. Sometimes, depending on her schedule, the CHI Regional Representative will be traveling with you on the same flight from Moscow.
Astrakhan is not a large city, and the hotel industry is not quite developed there yet. Usually our families stay in one of these hotels: " Azimut " or "Korvet" (Please, mind that most web-sites pages are in Russian, few in English), all hotels have modern and comfortable rooms. All rooms have an individual design and equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and\or video, long distance phone connection and a refrigerator, some rooms have air-conditioners. There is a restaurant, a luggage storage room, and a taxi reservation desk at every hotel. There is a supermarket nearby where you can find snacks, beverages, baby-food, diapers, etc. Average hotel rates are about $135-150 per standard room per night including breakfast. Credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard) are accepted to make payments. You should expect to pay a 25% of daily rate booking fee at the hotel’s reception desk once upon arrival. Do not book the hotel in the region on your own. The CHI Regional Representative will reserve a hotel room for you in advance according to your adoption plan. If you have any special requests or suggestions, please contact our head office in St. Louis in advance.
During your stay in the Astrakhan region you will have a professional interpreter to accompany you and you will be provided with transportation.
On the day of your arrival the CHI Astrakhan Representative will give you 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.
The next day you will be taken to the Department of Education to get a referral of a child. You will go to the orphanage to meet with your child right after that. There are 3 baby homes and 2 children homes in the Astrakhan region. The CHI representative works with different orphanages in the area, but the most distanced one is located no more than 15 km away.
Visits to the orphanage take two days before you make your petition to the Court for adoption. Notarization and submission of your documents will take two more days. You are required to have a medical examination before court, which you can do either in Moscow or in Astrakhan (preferably, as it is cheaper and more convenient). To sum it up, you have to stay in the region not less then 5 days. During this time, you will have an opportunity to visit the orphanage and talk to the officials about your child. You will be able to meet with doctors, nurses, teachers and other people who work with you child.
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 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 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 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. 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 another region in Russia. 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!
By the regional law your court day may be assigned in 1 or 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 your Court Hearing. The regional law requires you to arrive to the region a few days before court to spend at least 1-2 days with your child before the hearing. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court. The court hearing usually lasts about 1,5 hour. In most of cases the 10-days waiting period is no longer waived in Astrakhan 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. If 10-days waiting period is enforced, the orphanage director makes the decision whether the child can be in custody of his/her 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 as often as possible.
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, etc. for children of any age.
On 11th day the child will become officially yours once you receive the COURT DECISION. After getting this document you will stay in Astrakhan for another 7 days to apply and obtain all the necessary documents. These are: 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. Your CHI coordinator will accompany you during the whole period of time spent in Astrakhan, also you will have a personal interpreter and a car with a driver.
Altogether, you'll need to stay 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 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 get a medical examination of your child, to visit the American Embassy. 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 wish you a pleasant journey and a nice stay in Astrakhan region!
   
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