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 We are very glad that you are going to Vladivostok to find your child there. Yes, it is far, it is the other side of the world, it is on the very East of Russia, but we have wonderful records from families adopted from this region. The CHI adoption agency started its program there more than 10 years ago!
Vladivostok is a capital of the Primorje region. It's also the largest city of the Far East Russia. The city was founded on July 2, 1860 and now its population is 659.000 people. Its territory totals over 600 sq. km. It is the end of Trans-Siberian Railway which goes from Moscow to Vladivostok and stretches for 9301 km (5779 miles). Geographically Vladivostok is actually closer to San Francisco then to Moscow! It is situated not far from Russian-Chinese border and North Korea. Vladivostok spreads along the coast of the beautiful small bay and occupies different islands so beautiful that the guests who visited this city can't forget it. The beauty of nature and convenient geographical position played a leading role when the city was founded here. Vladivostok (sometimes called the Lord of the East) is best known as the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The climate here is humid continental with average January’s temperature of 7F and June’s temperature of 68F. It is humid due to the ocean, so during winter it feels colder then it shows on thermometer.
Before your visit to Vladivostok we suggest you to study the following this page about the city. You will find many interesting information about the place where your child was born.
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:
There are two ways to get to Vladivostok: one is through Moscow, Russia and the other one is through Seoul, North Korea. On the first trip you can go through Seoul, but on second trip you’ll need to make a stopover in Moscow. We suggest you to use Aeroflot Russian Airlines and purchase round trip tickets New-York-Moscow-Vladivostok. Tickets prices are differ due to domestic airlines variety, different types of airplanes, tickets fare, US dollar exchange rate, etc.
Attention! If you are going through Moscow, do not register your luggage all the way to Vladivostok! You’ll need to get it in Moscow for custom and security check and then go to different terminal to register for domestic flight.
Presently there are two required adoption trips to Russia. The purpose of the first visit is to get acquainted with your child. Your second visit is for the court hearing and collecting all the necessary after-adoption documents.
1ST VISIT:
The CHI Regional Representative or translator and driver will meet you at the airport of Vladivostok city. After picking up your luggage you will be taken to the hotel. For many years we’ve been using Vlad Motor Inn Hotel in Vladivostok. Based on the opinions of American families who have visited Vladivostok, we recommend you to stay there as well. It is a western-style hotel with high quality of service located on the sea-shore in secured area 20 minutes drive to Vladivostok. Regular price for standard room at this hotel is $150, but it’s worth it. There all amenities you can imagine, even small kitchenette, which is very convenient if you are staying with a child. To receive additional information concerning this hotel you may visit its website www.vlad-inn.ru
Do not book the hotel by yourself! Your hotel reservations will be made ahead of your arrival in Russia. It will be hard to make any changes once you arrive. If you have any special requests or suggestions, please contact our Head office in St. Louis in advance, we will try to take these into consideration when planing your visit to the region.
It takes about 30 minutes to get to the city from the airport. On the day you arrive the CHI Vladivostok Representative will 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 orphanage personnel and the judge, etc.
After checking in at the hotel you will have time to rest and after that you should visit the Department of Education and Science of the Primorsky Region Administration (aka MOE). Here you should sign in the Journal of registration of perspective adoptive parents and also receive a formal permission to see a child (a referral). Generally, because you will arrive in Vladivostok rather early you may get acquainted with a child the same day.
There are three Baby Homes for babies from 1 month to 4 years old in the Primorsky Region. When a child reaches 4 years old he/she is placed at the orphanage. One of the Baby Homes is located in the city of Vladivostok (about 30 minutes drive by car from the hotel). The other two are in the city of Ussuriysk (about 100 km or 1,5 - 2 hours drive) and in the city of Artyem (40 km or about one hour drive). In addition, there are two Children's hospitals with babies left without parental care in the city. We also work with several orphanages of our region trying to find families for older children.
So, on your first day you will meet your child. The following few days you will spend communicating with your child. The regional law requires that you visit your child at least three times before the court hearing will be assigned.
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 toys, dolls, table games, crackers and sweets for your meeting with the child, you'll see this will be appreciated!
After making the final decision about adopting a particular child you would have to appear before the notary officer to sign required documents proving that you personally have met a child, have read his/her medical report and agreed to adopt him/her. These documents are submitted later to an officer of the Regional Data Base of children left without parental care. Be prepared, it will take you 5-7 days to complete all official steps in the region during your first trip.
After saying "good-bye" to your child, you will fly back home to the US and will have to wait for the next visit for several weeks. The waiting may seem endless but, believe us, the time will pass quickly.
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. We'll make sure that you'll be able to visit with your child in the orphanage the day prior to court hearing.
Our interpreters and representatives will tell you what questions are typically asked in court. Usually, the hearing lasts for about 1-1,5 hours, if the case is not difficult and all of the documents are correct. If the court decides to allow you to adopt the child, the decision of the court can go into effect immediately or in 10 days period. You know, only if serious health problems of a child require immediate medical help, this waiting period can be waived by the judge. If not, then you’ll have to stay in the region altogether for 15-16 days during your second trip.
As soon as the Court Decree is issued you may pick up your child from the Baby Home / hospital. During your stay in the Vladivostok 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.
Having the Court Decree in your hands you’ll need to visit the Vital Records Office to receive the following documents: the CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION
the new BIRTH CERTIFICATE where you are shown as the parents of the child.
Then, we'll bring you to the photographer to take pictures of your child for his/her new passport and US visa. You will receive your child's International Passport at the passport office soon after or next day after the application.
The next step will be to visit an accredited doctor who will prepare a package of official medical documents for you to take to the interview in American Embassy.
This is a requirement of the US Embassy, to obtain more information visit the page: http://usembassy.state.gov/vladivostok/wwwhgeninfo.html
Do not open the envelope with medical examination given to you by the doctor; this information is for the American Embassy only.
Before you leave for Moscow the CHI Regional Representative will give you a package of documents to present to the American Embassy in Moscow. These documents are extremely important. Keep them in a safe place.
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 the CHI representative assists you in completing all the necessary legal steps, the child is officially yours.
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.
For information regarding the interview at the US Embassy please see the following page: Moscow office/Adoption info.
We understand how difficult it is to be so far from home in a foreign country. That is why we try our best to make you feel as comfortable as at home. During the whole period of time spent in Vladivostok you will have a personal interpreter and a car with a driver for all adoption purposes. Also you will have time for visiting the most interesting places in Vladivostok and to do some gift-shopping.
We hope you will enjoy your time in Vladivostok.
    
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