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 We are very glad to say Tver is one of CHI most stable and successfully working regions.
The region is conveniently located only 100 miles (167 kilometers) from Moscow. It is situated in Central Russia. Its population is 1 633 000 people (urban population is 73,2%). There are many old beautiful towns with eventful, glorious and heroic history, some of them were founded long time ago in the 10-12th century!
Twenty-two kilometers is the city length along the banks of the great Russian river Volga. From here the river becomes navigable down to Astrakhan to Russia's southern boarder. Like any other city on the Volga, Tver owes much of its charms to this mighty river. Calm and majestic, the Volga crosses the city, reflecting in its waters the old embankments, bridges, parks and housing estates.
The history of the city is connected with the names of the great Russian poet A. S. Pushkin, the fable-writer I.A. Krylov, the satirist M.Y. Saltykov-Shchedrin and many other representatives of Russian culture. The city of Tver has three universities, several institutes, many libraries, three theaters, circus, Philharmonic Society, Palace of Sports, several museums and a Fine Art gallery. The Museum of Local Lore and History, for example, is one of the oldest of its kind in Russia, was opened in 1866.
The climate here is nice, especially comparing with Siberian cities. It is moderately continental with just two define seasons – winter and summer, fall and spring are very short. In average the temperature in January is around 5-14F, but may drop a little occasionally, in Summer it is usually 73-86F. During spring and fall rains are quite often and humidity is very high.
Please, read more information about Tver region 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 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 HERE:
On your arrival to the Moscow International airport “Sheremetievo-2” or “Domodedovo” as soon as you pass the passport control and customs go through the sliding doors and look for a sign “Children’s Hope International”. The CHI English-speaking driver will wait for you there ready to take you to Tver, the drive will last approximately 2-3 hours by car (depending upon the weather and traffic).
1st VISIT:
The CHI driver will take you to the hotel where a room will be booked for you in advance. It is a comfortable German hotel “Osnabruck” ", one of the best hotels in the region, it has high reports from our families. In average its standard room costs $120-210 per night including breakfast. There are necessary appliances and utensils in the suite: bathroom, satellite television (including English programs), a telephone with access to international telephone communications and mini-bar. The hotel employees keeps rooms clean and fresh. It is located not far from social and cultural facilities. There is another hotel for you to consider called “Tverskaya usadba”, as nice as “Osbanruck” with the price-range of $100-250 depending on the type of the room. Attention! Credit cards (American Express, Visa and Master Card) are accepted to make payments! It is safe to pay at this hotel using your credit cards, just don't forget to give a notice to your bank fraud department.
Please, do not book the hotel yourself. Our CHI Regional Representative will do it for you keeping in mind what is more convenient for your adoption plan. If you have any specific requests, please, contact our main office in St. Louis in advance and they let us know your preferences.
You will have time to rest at the hotel and the CHI Tver Representative will meet you at the hotel to provide you with 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 officials, etc.
Next morning you will go the Regional Department of the Ministry of Education (aka Registration Center of the children left without parental care) to receive a referral. If you are satisfied with the given information, you will go to the orphanage where your child is waiting for you. There are four orphanages in Tver region, only one is located in the city, others are 1 to 3 hours drive. Please, be prepared, especially in spring that roads conditions might be very poor, which prolongs the driving time significantly.
The meeting with your child can last for several hours (by your choice and as allowed). 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 before making their decision to adopt. Be prepared to answer some questions about your family and your motivation for adoption as well.
ATTENTION!
If you have any concerns about the state of health of the child you have the right to make an independent medical examination. In Moscow there are several Medical Centers, where you can do that. 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. We can not guarantee that the second referral will be better then the first one since we do not select children for our families; this decision is made by the social worker at the Ministry of Education. Our goal is that a family will not leave 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. If you can bring to the orphanage some toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, you'll see this will be very much appreciated!
After making the final decision about adopting a particular child, we draw up your consent to adopt a child and submit it to the Department of Education. You have to visit to the Notary office to sign the Petition to Adopt to the Regional Court.
You will be able to communicate with your child almost every day while you are in the region, but visits are limited by the orphanage's director. During your stay in Tver 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. You will need to stay in our region 4-5 days during your first trip.
On your request, we can arrange your visit to Moscow, though on your first trip there is no necessity except being a tourist, thought on your second trip you’ll need to stay there for 2-3 days.
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.
Again you will arrive to Moscow International Airport and CHI Tver Representative will meet you there. Keep in mind, according the regional law you’ll need to come 3 days before the court hearing. Not only you'll spend them visiting with your child, but doing mandatory Medical Examinationof adoptive parents for the Russian Regional Court.
On the forth day the Court Hearing will take place. The CHI Regional Representative will meet you before the court to tell you what questions are typically asked in court, what is the procedure, etc.
Usually, the hearing lasts for 1-1,5 hours if all the documents are correct and in order. The judge has the right to waive mandatory 10-days waiting period if there are serious problems with child’s health or family emergency. If not, then you’ll have a choice to stay in the region for 10 days or go back to the US and come back for the third time to pick up your child.
On the 11th day you will receive the Court Decree and pick up your child from the orphanage.
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 till April a snowsuit would be appropriate.
There are some papers need to be done in order to make your child officially yours. That is why you will have to obtain the Adoption Certificate, the Birth Certificate and submit these documents to the Passport office in order to apply for the International Passport for your child.
Of course, the CHI Regional Representative will organize everything and help you with getting all the papers. Please, remember, these documents are very important, keep them in a safe place and never put it in your luggage.
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.
Issuing child’s passport may take you 15-16 days. Altogether, it will take you 17-18 days in the region during your second trip to fulfill all adoption formalities. As soon as you receive all the documents we will escort you to Moscow where the process of adoption will be finalized.
You will need to stay in Moscow at least 2 business days for Pre-Visa medical examination of your child and Immigration Visa Interview at the American Embassy. Please, read Adoption Info on the left-side bar for details.
The CHI Tver team is looking forward to have you in our region!
   
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