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Welcome to Tomsk region!
We are glad to announce Tomsk Region is open for adoption again. Many wonderful children were adopted from this region. Tomsk region welcomes CHI adoptive families again!
It is an administrative center of the Tomsk oblast (region), central Russia. It's located by the Tom River above its confluence with the Ob river. Most of the region’s territory is inaccessible because it is covered with taiga or coniferous forest, dominated by pine, fir and larch.
Tomsk has a continental climate. Winters are severe and lengthy, and the lowest recorded temperature was −56 °C (−68.8 °F) in January 1996. However, the average temperature in January is between −21 °C (−5.8 °F) and −19 °C (−2.2 °F). The average temperature in July is 24 °C (75.2 °F).
The region is reach with natural recourses, especially oil, gas, metal and forests. Chemical and oil industries are the most developed in the region, followed by machine construction. There is a major center of plutonium production and uranium enrichment in Russia located in 20 km from Tomsk city.
Founded in 1604, few years ago Tomsk celebrated its four hundredth birthday. As any historic city it is rich with interesting people and events, nice buildings and corners. In other words, it has many things to show and to tell its visitors: theaters, universities, cafes and restaurants, most of them located on the main street in a walking distance from the hotel.
For more information about Tomsk please click on 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:
It would take you 56 hours to get to Tomsk from Moscow by train. By plane it takes about 4 hours. There are two daily flights from Moscow airport Domodedovo (DME) to Tomsk airport Bogashevo (TOF) depending on the day of the week. At present a ONE-WAY ticket from Moscow to Tomsk costs $340-770 (economy class) per person. Prices vary a lot due to airlines variety, date, 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 Tomsk you will be staying at a comfortable "Sibir" Hotels.
The "Sibir" hotel is situated at the very central street of city’s downtown. It is a small comfortable hotel in the pleasant area of the city center in walking distance to major shops, restaurants and cafes. All rooms are equipped with a long-distance phone, satellite TV, private bath/shower and toilet. There is a restaurant, hairdresser salon, luggage storage room, and taxi reservation desk at the hotel. One night at the hotel costs from $100 per standard room to $187 per suite. Prices includes continental breakfast per two people and VAT.
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 Tomsk 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 Tomsk region you will have CHI Regional Representative and 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 Tomsk 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.
All planes arrive to Tomsk early morning, therefore, you’ll have few hours to rest at the hotel before official meeting. Around 10am you’ll 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, the most distanced one is located 3 hours drive (can be longer due to roads conditions during spring and fall rains).
You’ll have few days to visit your child before you make your decision to Petition for adoption to the Regional Court. 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 adoption consultant 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. In compliance with the regional law you have to arrive to the region few days before the court hearing to visit your child. Our interpreters and representatives will be able to tell you what questions are typically asked in court. The court hearing may last anything from 1 to 5 hours depending on the case. In most of cases the 10-days waiting period is no longer waived in Tomsk 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 Tomsk few 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. The CHI regional Representative will accompany you during the whole period of time spent in Tomsk, also you will have a personal interpreter and a car with a driver for all adoption activities.
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.
CHI Tomsk team is looking forward to have you in our hospitable region!
    
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