Adoption Laws in Russia

• Children in Russian orphanages are waiting to be adopted.baby image by Diane Stamatelatos from Fotolia.com
  
  Children in Russia who are available for adoption are orphans in the care of the Russian government. A Russian child who is available for adoption must be 10 months of age or older. The child must have been on the Russian database of children with no parents for at least six months. The database has children of all ages; however, the Russian government requires the prospective adoptive parents to file the necessary documents prior to a child turning 16.
  
  

Adoption Agencies

• Americans seeking to adopt from Russia can check with the United States Embassy for a list of agencies accredited through the Russian Federation that provide international adoption services. The adoption must be facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Russia or an accredited agency and processed through the regional adoption contact for Russia, who then coordinates with the local child welfare office.
  
  

Age, Marital Status and Fees

• Russian adoptions require two visits to the country.airport image by Svetlana Kashkina from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether you are married or single you can adopt from Russia, as long as you are at least 16 years older than the child you will adopt. Some areas of Russia prefer prospective parents to be under the age of 45. In Russia the mother is considered the primary caretaker; therefore, they look favorably on prospective mothers under age 45. Fees range from $25,000 to $35,000 to cover costs such as travel, orphanage fees, background checks and Russian government fees.
  
  

Travel

• Adoptive parents must be physically, mentally and emotionally able to parent a child.doctor visiting image by TEMISTOCLE LUCARELLI from Fotolia.com
  
  You must travel twice to Russia to adopt a child. Depending on the region, both parents must travel the first time. You will meet the child and apply for a court date during your first visit. You must prepare to be in Russia for at least a week on your first visit.
  The second visit, anywhere from two to four months later, requires both parents to travel. The second visit involves the actual hearing for the adoption. Since some areas in Russia require a 10-day waiting period, one parent can either stay there 10 extra days and complete the necessary paperwork, or leave and return after the waiting period.
  
  

Medical Examination

• You must have a medical evaluation during either your first or second visit. Either an American clinic in Russia or a Russian clinic must perform the extensive medical examination. A prospective adoptive candidate may be disqualified because of certain existing medical conditions. The requirements vary from region to region; therefore, some regions may require a physical exam of prospective adoptive parents when they initially apply to adopt.