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We are glad to have CHI adoption program in Pskov region. We do not have many adoption cases from this region so far, it sounds very promising! Just read the following information:
 It has a wonderful geographic location! Pskov city is situated 370 miles (600 km) on the north-west from Moscow and 170 miles (280 km) to St. Petersburg, it is close to Europe and borders with Estonia, Latvia and Belarus. This city is very old, more than 1100 years! The Pskov region is the land of amazing history, the land one may call the guardian of the Russian antiquity. All events of greater significance for the Russian history are somehow connected with this region.
Pskov attracts tourists from Russia as well as foreigners with its beautiful Kremlin together with the main symbol of the city – the Trinity Cathedral, the highest construction in Pskov.
Today the region is quite big, its population is about 841 000 people, about 208 000 inhabitants lives in the Pskov City, the other part of population lives mostly in small towns and villages. It is industrial and agricultural region, but has large deposits of different natural resources, including the discovery of diamonds! Ladies, do not forget the check out the nearest jewelry shop, you may find there a nice piece of jewelry to remind you about your adoption trip to Russia!
The climate here is characterized as moderate continental featuring maritime, humid. Summers are quite warm and Winters are mild, isn’t it a favorable weather, comparing to Siberia, for example? The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is –8-10C, which is about 14 F. In July (the warmest month) the average temperature is +17+18C (64F) and the max. temperature reaches +32C (90F).
To get more information about Pskov region, please, visit this page . To get more tourist details about the city follow this link
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 are 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:
There are two daily trains from Moscow to Pskov – both leave Moscow at 7 pm and 8 pm and arrive to Pskov in the morning next day. The journey lasts about 12 hours; you will have a compartment with 2 comfortable couches to sleep on during the night, plus, you’ll save some money on the hotel, at least for one night. One way ticket per one person will cost you about $100-130.
Presently there are two required trips to Pskov: the purpose of the first one is to meet with a child referred to you, to get acquainted with his/her medical conditions, documents; the purpose of the second visit is to participate at the court hearing to adopt a child.
1ST VISIT
Our driver will meet you at the train-station holding a sight “Children’s Hope International”, he’ll take you to the hotel and help you to check-in. Among all of the hotels in the town we advise you to stay in the hotel "Pyzskaya". Please, do not expect the hotel to be very fancy; it is nice and clean hotel conveniently located in a walking distance to major city’s attractions. Standard room for two people with 2 beds will cost you $65 per night, this type of room is very simple. If you are looking for more comfortable stay, we suggest you chose a “de-lux room” and the price rises to $125-150 including breakfast (payments in cash (Rubles) only). Each room is equipped with a TV, phone-line for distance calls, fridge and a shower, of course. There is a restaurant on the first floor and several buffets for breakfast, laundry and souvenirs shop at the hotel.
Do not book a hotel yourself. The CHI Regional Representative will reserve a hotel room for you in advance according to your adoption plan. It will be hard to make any changes once you arrive. If you have any special requests or suggestions, please contact our main office in St. Louis in advance.
As the train arrives to Pskov in the morning, you will have time to check-in and have a breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel. The CHI Pskov Representative will meet you at the hotel to provide you with the guidelines and itinerary for your visit. We will also explain what to expect at official meetings, for example, what to wear, how to address the officials and the orphanage personnel, etc.
She will accompany you to the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education where you’ll receive a referral – it is brief general information about your child with the address of the orphanage she/he is residing at.
There are 2 orphanages in Pskov region we work with, both of them are located outside the city 35 miles and 62 miles from Pskov. Most probably, the visit to the orphanage will take you the rest of the day. We think that meetings with the chief doctor of the orphanage and with the nurses will be very useful, as they can provide information about the health, interests, and behavior of your 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 as well.
ATTENTION!
You have a right to request 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 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 to leave with the child. If you can bring some staffed animals, toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, you'll see this will be appreciated!
You will communicate with your child every day while you are in the region but as much as it is allowed by the orphanage administration.
After making the final decision about adopting a particular child, you would have to sign required documents proving that you personally met a child, have read his/her medical report and agreed to adopt him/her. These documents will be submitted later to an officer of the Regional Data Base of children left without parental care by the CHI Pskov Regional Coordinator. As well, she will submit these documents to the Regional Court on your behalf.
Usually, it takes 2-3 days in the region to make all official steps during your first trip.
The judge has the right to study the adoption case for two months and to request any additional documents, so the approximate calculation for your second visit might be in 4 to 10 weeks from the date you’ve submitted your documents to the regional court.
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 your second trip you may arrive to Pskov one day before the court to meet with your child. You will be met by CHI interpreter and driver at the train-station and taken to the hotel. After a short rest you’ll go for the orphanage to spend some time with your child. Same or next day our interpreter and representative will tell you what questions are typically asked in court. Usually it lasts about 1-2 hours or even longer, depends on the difficulty of the case. If the court decides to satisfy your petition to adopt the child, the decision of the court goes into effect immediately. Straight after the hearing you may go to the orphanage to pick up your child. In some cases the judge may enforce 10 days waiting period; in this case you may stay in the region or go back to the US and then come back on the 11th day 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.
During your stay in Pskov region you will have the CHI regional Representative working on your behalf and a professional interpreter to accompany you. You will be provided with local transportation.
As soon as the Court Decree is issued, you have to obtain the following documents: The CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION
the new BIRTH CERTIFICATE of your child.
In order to get them you’ll need to visit Vital Statistic office. Don’t worry, your regional representative will accompany you during these legal steps providing help and support. These documents are extremely important. Keep them in a safe place. Having gotten these documents you have everything necessary to get anINTERNATIONAL PASSPORT for your child to travel abroad. As of today, it may take 2 more days. Altogether, if 10 days waiting period is waived, you’ll stay in the region 4-6 days 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 a translator more than the representative, but be assured that he/she is reachable if you run into some problems.
After obtaining all of these documents the family will leave for Moscow where the process of adoption is to be completed. If you have time before departure for Moscow you may do some sightseeing together with your child!
The procedure of adoption is to be completed in Moscow. You will have to stay in Moscow for 2 - 3 days to get Pre-Visa medical examination of your child and visit the American Embassy in order to get an Immigration Visa for your child. The American Embassy requests all immigrants to proceed medical examination and have an interview with US Embassy official. The CHI Moscow office provides qualified help during this process as well transportation and translation. Please, check the information about the continuation of the adoption process in Moscow – link Adoption info on the left side-bar.
Looking forward to have you in Pskov region!
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