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 We are glad to invite you to Kaliningrad Region. This is the most western regional center of CHI in Russia. Many wonderful children were adopted from this region in last few years.
Kaliningrad region is located very close to Europe; it is actually closer to Berlin, Germany (370 miles) or Oslo, Norway (530 miles) then Moscow (745 miles). It used to be a German town called Koenigsberg before the World War II, but the Potsdam Conference of the Allies in 1945 determined new borders of this territory. Later on in 1990 due to the collapse of the Soviet Union the Kaliningrad Region became geographically separated from the rest of Russia. The region has a 200-km long border in the north and the east with the Republic of Lithuania and with the Republic of Poland in the south. The west coast of Kaliningrad Region is washed by the Baltic See.
Unique mild climate makes Kaliningrad one of the most popular sea-resorts in Russia; winters here are mild with average temperature about 30-20F, summers are warm but not hot (55-72F). Pines and the Baltic Sea make the air fresh, rains are quite often here as well.
There are plenty to see in the region, starting with Kurshe Spit and coastal resort towns together with many architectural sightseeing places in the city, the zoo, the Koenigsberg Cathedral, etc.
The territory of the region is rather small - 15.1 thousand square meters (0,1% of the territory of the Russian Federation). It means everything is practically close by. Having accepted the invitation to visit Kaliningrad for adoption you get the opportunity to touch upon the most interesting events in European history, with destinies of its great fellow-countrymen.
We recommend you to visit this page to read more about this wonderful city.
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 THERE:
You will be arriving in Kaliningrad by plane from Moscow. There are several daily flights to Kaliningrad from two major Moscow airports "Sheremetievo - 1" and "Domodedovo". Flights last less then 2 hours. At present a ONE-WAY ticket from Moscow to Kaliningrad costs $100-150 (economy class) and $320 (business class) per person. Prices are differing due to airlines variety, different air-fare, dollar exchange rate, etc.
You will be met at the airport by the CHI interpreter and driver, they will take you to the hotel and help you to check in. In Kaliningrad you will be staying at a comfortable "Turtle" or "Moskva" Hotels.
The "Turtle" hotel is situated not far from social and cultural facilities and downtown. Distance from the "Chrabrovo" airport to the hotel is 20 miles. The Puppet Theater, the Zoo and the Central Park are close by. It is a small comfortable family-style hotel in the quiet area of the city center. All the rooms are equipped with a long-distance phone, satellite TV, private bath/shower and toilet. There is a restaurant, sauna, luggage storage room, and taxi reservation desk at the hotel. One night at the hotel costs around $170 including breakfast if you stay in standard double room, junior suite will cost you $190, double room suite - $200.
Another hotel option "Moskva" is located downtown, close to the main street with shops and leisure activities. It is big business-oriented hotel with same fasilities and within the same price range. Major credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard) are accepted to make payments at this hotel. Please, do not book a hotel yourself. The CHI Regional Representative will reserve 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 in advance.
There are two required trips to the Kaliningrad 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 and pick up your child. You will usually stay in the region for a week during first trip and for about 3 weeks second trip.
During your stay in the Kaliningrad region you will have a professional interpreter to accompany you during all adoption activities; you will be provided with transportation as well.
1ST VISIT:
On the day you arrive the CHI Kaliningrad 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.
The next day after your arrival on your first visit you will be taken to the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education to get a referral of a child. You will go to the orphanage to meet with your child right after that. The CHI representative works with different orphanages in the area, but the most distanced one is located no more than a 2-hour drive away.
Visits to the orphanage take two days before you make your Petition for adoption to the Regional Court. Notarization and submission of your documents will take two more days. During this time you will have an opportunity to visit the orphanage and to 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 as well.
ATTENTION!
You have a right to request an independent medical examination of your child, but we need to know it in advance to arrange. 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 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. 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!
You will come back to this hospitable region once again in a few weeks for your second trip for the court hearing.
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. All adoption cases in Kaliningrad are done on Monday and in compliance with the regional law you have to arrive to the region 4 days before court (which is on Thursday a week before) to spend at least 3 days 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 about 1 hour if all the documents are in order. In most of cases the 10-days waiting period is no longer waived in Kaliningrad region, unless the child has serious medical problems. The 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 the 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 few times.
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.
After getting the Court Decree you will stay in Kaliningrad 3 more days to apply and obtain all the necessary documents. These are:
• the ADOPTION CERTIFICATE,
• the NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE
• 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 Kaliningrad, also you will have a personal interpreter and a car with a driver during these legal 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 a translator more 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 your child Pre-Visa medical examination and visit the American Embassy for the interview for your child’s Immigration Visa. For more information, please, visit link "Adoption info" at left-side bar. We provide qualified help during this process as well.
We are looking forward to have you in Kaliningrad region!
   
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