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Dear adoptive parents! We are glad you are interested in adopting from Russia. One of the regions we work at is Smolensk. The CHI started its work in this region about 10 years ago and during these 10 years it has been a wonderful experience. Many Russian children from Smolensk region found their forever families in the US. Below you'll find some general facts about the city and CHI adoption program there:
Smolensk region derived its name from the word ‘resin’ [Rus., smola] which is extracted from the surrounding pine trees. The city was already a commercial center in the late 9th century. The history of this region is very rich with events. The westward expansion of the grand duchy of Moscow made Smolensk a target of prolonged struggle between Moscow and Poland-Lithuania. Its location on the main route from Moscow to Europe made Smolensk a target for Napoleon I, who seized the city in Aug., 1812, after a brief but heroic resistance. The city, scene of some of World War II's heaviest fighting, was captured by the Germans in 1941 and retaken by Soviet troops in 1943.
Virtually razed, Smolensk was rebuilt with its original pattern largely preserved. Historic buildings now restored include the famous Kremlin and town walls (1596-1602), the Uspensky Cathedral (1677-79), several 12th-century churches, and monuments to Russian General Kutuzov and to the composer M. I. Glinka. As you can guess, there are many historic things to see during your visit.
Today, Smolensk is a port, the head of navigation on the Dnieper River. The Dnieper river crosses the city from east to west and divides it into practically two equal parts. The surface of the banks creates the impression of the hill country. Smolensk has a profitable geographical situation as it is situated on the trade ways from Moscow to Belarus, to Lithuania and to the countries of Central and Western Europe. The number of population of the city is 320 thousand people (as of January 1, 2005).
The climate of Smolensk is moderate - continental with warm summers and cold winters. The coldest month is January (15F), the warmest is July (63F). Fogs are possible during 103 days per year. Unfortunately, 178 days per year bad weather dominates in Smolensk. Please check the weather forecast on the internet and take your umbrella.
For more information about Smolensk region, 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 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:
Smolensk is situated in 260 miles (420 km) from Moscow. To get there we suggest you to take day- or night- train. This 5 hours journey will cost you $ 120 per one person if you take a day train and $ 55-70 per one person one way whatever night train you take. Both trains have comfortable compartments for two people equipped with two coaches to sleep on. Please contact our St. Louis office to inform us in advance which one you would prefer.
Presently there are two required trips to Smolensk: the purpose of the first one is to get acquainted with the child, his/her medical conditions, documents; the purpose of the second visit is to participate at the court hearing to adopt a child.
1ST VISIT
The CHI driver (russian-speaking) will meet you at the train-station holding a sigh “Children’s Hope Int.” to take you to the hotel and help you to check-in. Among all the hotels in the town we advise that you stay either in the hotel "Rossiya" or hotel "Centralnaya"*(ru). Both of them are situated in downtown just few minutes drive from the train station. If you stay at the “Centralnaya” Hotel, a standard room with 2 beds will cost you $116 per night, and if you choose to stay at two-rooms de-lux or studio room then the price will rise to $216 (might be reasonable for the second trip when your child will be with you). Payments in cash (Rubles) only. Please do not expect the hotel to be very fancy; it is nice and clean hotel conveniently located in walking distance to major city’s attractions. It has a nice café and small restaurant on the first floor.
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. If you have any special requests (for a de-lux room for example), please contact our main office in St. Louis well in advance.
*(ru) – russian language only web-site
As the day-train arrives to Smolensk late in the evening, you will have time for a good rest and dinner at the restaurant of the hotel. If you choose to go by overnight train, please, be prepared to wake up early as it arrives at 6 am. In this case you’ll be taken to the hotel and have some time to relax and put yourself together before an important meeting later on the same day. The CHI Smolensk Representative will provide you with 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 orphanage personnel and the judge, etc.
Usually the meeting at the Ministry of Education is set for 8 or 9 am. There you’ll be given the referral – brief information about the child referred to you and orphanage location. If you agree to meet with a child, on the way to the orphanage you will pick up the guardianship inspector (social worker) and then together you will go to the orphanage to meet with your child. There are two orphanages in Smolensk region CHI works with: orphanage "Krasniy Bor" is located just 9 miles (15 km) from Smolensk and Yartsevskiy orphanage, which is in 37 miles (60 km) from Smolensk in the town Yartsevo. If you are adopting an older child, them there are few more orphanages in the region for children over the age of 4 years old.
Most probably, the visit to the orphanage, where your child is residing will take 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 more 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.
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 in 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 some stuffed animals, toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, you'll see this will be very much appreciated!
You will communicate with your child the rest of the day and the next day as well. 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 Smolensk Regional law, you should visit your child at least once before submitting your petition to the Regional Court. That is why the same day at about 11:00 pm you can leave by train for Moscow. However, if you prefer to stay longer you may visit your child again next morning and leave for Moscow by the day-train. As you can see, it takes 1-3 days during first trip.
Prepare to wait about 2-4 months for your second trip, as according to the regional law the judge has a right to study the case for two months and to request any additional documents. Remember, the waiting time may be different, depending on the case.
2ND VISIT
The second trip to Smolensk may last a little bit longer: two or four days. 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.
As mentioned above, you may arrive to Smolensk the night before the court day or early morning on the day of the court. You will be met by the CHI interpreter and driver at the train-station and taken to the hotel. After a short rest our representative will tell you what questions are typically asked in court. There is no obligation that you have to see your child again before the court hearing, which is why the hearing is usually same day you arrive. It lasts about 1-2 hours or even longer, depending on how difficult is the case. If the court decides to satisfy your petition to adopt the child, the decision of the court goes into effect immediately. In most adoption cases 10-days waiting period is waived in Smolensk region. Right after the hearing you may 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 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.
As soon as the Court Decree is issued, you have to obtain the ADOPTION CERTIFICATE, the new BIRTH CERTIFICATE with your names in it and the INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT of your child to travel abroad. To get them you’ll need to visit different offices, such as Vital Statistic Office, Passport Office, etc. Be prepared, they are located not only in the city, but you might need to travel around the region as well. Do not worry, during your stay in Smolensk region you will have the CHI Regional Representative working on your behalf and a professional interpreter to accompany you and assist you with all legal steps during the process. You will be provided with local transportation.
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 leaves 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!
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 for Immigration Visa interview for your child. The CI Moscow office provides qualified help during this process. Please check the information about the continuation of the adoption process in Moscow – link Adoption info on the left side-bar.
The CHI Smolensk team is looking forward to have you in our region!
    
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