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After receiving our recent accreditation in Dec. 2007 CHI started opening new regions to lessen up the waiting time for our families and allow more families to adopt through our agency.
 Krasnoyarsk is one of our new regions and we have big hopes for it, first of all, because the region itself is very big. It occupies 1/7 of the territory of Russia. It is three times bigger than the entire State of Texas! The region stretches for 1800 ml (3000 km) from north to south which means great differences in climate. Thought, as everywhere in Siberia Winters are very cold and snowy and last about 5 month with average temperature around -15F, but occasionally can go below 40F. Springs are short but nice, Summers are hot 68-75F, Falls have changing weather and lots of rain.
In 1628 year the city Krasnoyarsk was founded as a fortress to guard south-eastern borders of the expanding Russian Empire. The city stands on the banks of the most beautiful and the most abounding in water river in Russia called Yenisey. It is surrounded by mountains, giving a very interesting flavor to the city views. The population of Krasnoyarsk Kray significantly increased after building Trans-Siberian railway. During Stalin era many prisons for political prisoners were formed here, but now Krasnoyarsk city is a cultural, educational and industrial center. Its population is close to one million inhabitants, there are 12 Universities, 5 theaters and lots of museums and picture galleries.
Krasnoyarsk Kray is loaded with natural beauty! If you’ll have time, visit national Park “Stolbi” or take a boat tour along the river to Krasnoyarsk Dam, which is pictured on Russian ten-ruble banknote.
There is another region where we work as well, on the south-west from Krasnoyarsk, about 6 hours drive, it is called Khakasia republic with its capital Abakan. You might travel there as well if the child you are going to adopt awaits you there, but it happens not very often.
If you want to know more about Krasnoyarsky Kray, please, follow this link. And more info about the city is here.
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:
Krasnoyarsk Kray is located 2500 miles (4065 kilometers) from Moscow. It takes about 2 days and 10 hours to get there by train and about 4.5 hours by plane. There are several flights from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk, depending on the day of the week, but all of them are over-night flights. Please, be prepared that due to domestic airlines variety, different types of airplanes, tickets rate, US dollar exchange rate, etc. the price is varies dramatically: from $300 to $750 per one person per one-way trip for economy class. If you prefer to travel busyness class, it will cost you around $1700. If you decide to book tickets yourself (which we do not recommend), keep in mind, there are three airports around Moscow and they are distant from each other.
1ST VISIT:
The CHI Regional Representative and interpreter will be waiting for you in the airport Emelyanovo to greet you and accompany you to the hotel “Krasnoyarsk”. The hotel has 240 rooms, and you may choose a suite, a twin room or a single room. All of these rooms are comfortable and cozy with a TV, phone-line, Wi-Fi Internet and a fridge. There is a restaurant at the hotel, 2 bars, a conference hall, a shop and sauna with a small swimming pool. Price for a twin room is about $130 per night; two-room apartments will cost you much more - about $245. Prices do not include breakfast. 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.
Same morning on your arrival day you will have time to relax and refresh yourself before the meeting with officials the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education. There you will be given the information about the child, referred to you (age, name, 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 in person.
There are 6 orphanages in the region, some of them located in the city or its vicinity, some are quite far in the region, such as 300 miles from Krasnoyarsk. Keep in mind, the drive might be longer then you expect due to poor roads conditions especially in Spring. We usually invite you for 2-3 days for your first trip, so you will have time to get acquainted with the child and get as much as possible of information about him or her. You will be able to meet with doctors, nurses, 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 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 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 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. If you can bring some toys, dolls, bubbles, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, it will help you establish a contact with your child!
There are two required trips to Russia. You will have to come back to Krasnoyarsk in a few months to participate at the Court Hearing and pick up your child.
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.
On your second visit you will arrive to the region a day before the Court Hearing. You will be able to visit with your child in the orphanage the day prior to court. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court. The court hearing usually lasts for about 1,5-2 hours or more, depending on the difficulty of the case. Russian Law requires 10-days waiting period after the court hearing, which can be waived by the judge only if sever medical problems occur with your child or if a family emergency requires your presence in the US. During this period of time you’ll be able to stay in Krasnoyarsk and visit your child as much as it is allowed by the orphanage director.
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.
On the 11th day you are to show up at the court to receive the Court Decree. Next few days you’ll spend visiting Vital Statistic Office, Passport Office, etc. applying and collecting all the necessary documents, such as: the ADOPTION CERTIFICATE
the NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
These documents are extremely important. Be sure to keep them in a safe place. Of course, your CHI coordinator will accompany you during this legal steps providing help and support to cope with any possible problems. Also you will have your interpreter and driver accompanying you all the time within the process of adoption.
Having all legal documents in your hands means you are officially became parents! This is time you can go 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 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 along with tights, warm underwear, hats, gloves, etc. for children of any age.
Altogether, you will need to stay in the region for 17-19 days during your second trip.
As soon as all the necessary documents are received you can leave for Moscow to complete this long but exciting journey!
For further details please see our page "Adoption Info" where you can find information about a Pre-visa medical report for your child and Immigration Visa interview at the US Embassy. You will need additional 2-3 days to officially complete your adoption in Moscow.
Looking forward to have you here in Krasnoyarsk!
   
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