Country Requirements: Russia

Number of Adoptions in 2006: 3710

Information taken directly from US State Department

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Married couples may adopt. Single persons may adopt but there must be at least a 16-year age difference between the prospective parent and the prospective adoptive child. Russia also has medical requirements for adoptive parents. Persons considering adoption in Russia should consult their adoption agency about medical conditions that may disqualify them. These include TB, active and chronic; illness of internal organs and nervous system; dysfunction of the limbs; infectious diseases; drug and alcohol addictions; psychiatric disorders; and, any disability which prevents the person from working.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements for prospective adoptive parents. However, prospective adoptive parents will have to travel to Russia twice during the adoption process. (The first visit is typically one week and second visit is between two to three weeks dependent upon 10 day waiver and proximity to Moscow.)

TIME FRAME: The average time for the adoption process is 6-12 months from the time the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) approves the I-600A petition to the date of the immigrant visa interview. (Please see below for further information on the various steps in the intercountry adoption process.)

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS: Adoptive parents who work through an adoption agency must use an agency that the Russian Government has accredited to provide adoption services. The U.S. Embassy discourages intercountry adoptions conducted independently without the assistance of an accredited agency. A list of accredited adoption agencies is available at the adoptions page of the U.S. Embassy’s Web site at http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/consular.php?record_id=adoptions and on the Web site for the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, D.C. at http://www.russianembassy.org/.

Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Department of State can vouch for the effectiveness or professionalism of any agency or facilitator. Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.-based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and the state adoption agency-licensing office in the state where the agency is located. Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs web site travel.state.gov.

ADOPTION FEES IN RUSSIA : U.S. citizens who have adopted from Russia report an average total cost of approximately US$20,000 – $30,000 (including travel, lodging and fees).