Adopting From Russia

Adopting from Russia can be a warm, enriching, and fulfilling experience. Families who have a loving home with financial and emotional resources to share with orphaned children are encouraged to inquire about adopting from Russia.

Requirements/Eligibility

Russia is open to married couples; families who have already have children, and single women.
There is no requirement for length of marriage, though generally two years is a minimum.
Infants are placed with couples of individuals under 50 years of age.
Proof of infertility is not required.

Available Children Picture of Baby
All children who are immediately available for adoption are currently in orphanages and in need of a loving family. Available boys and girls range in ages from 6 months to 12 years, although the wait for boys may be shorter. Healthy boys and girls, infants and children are available. Children with minor to severe conditions and handicaps are also available.

Some children have developmental delays and may be smaller in size than their American counterparts. Most medical backgrounds have a diagnosis with terms that are used differently than how American doctors would use them. Medical evaluations from American doctors experienced in international medical information and adoption can be a great source of knowledge and better help you understand this information.

Time Frame Picture of Baby
Families can expect to be home with their child(ren) in less than twelve months from the time of application, pending completion and approval of paperwork. The time frame may also vary by gender, age of child, and program selected.

The Process
Frost assists families in preparing all the documents required for the dossier and helps families with INS paperwork and visa applications for Russia. Once all documents have been received, reviewed and accepted by Frost, they are then sent to Russia.

Our Russian coordinators compile the dossier papers along with all documents required. The documents are translated, notarized and sealed by Russian authorities, and then presented to the Department of Education and the Judicial System for review.

When the paperwork has been approved, a child can be referred to a family. A referral includes personal information about the child, a medical history, and a photograph. Once a family accepts a referral, travel plans can begin.

Once in Russia, adoptive families are met by a Frost host family, usually with whom they will be staying for the duration of the trip. The host family prepares meals, arranges travel plans to and from the orphanage, as well as prior to and after the adoption. The host family also arranges for the medical exam and the exit visa interview after the adoption.

Lucy in Russian Costume Families go to court to finalize the adoption of their child in Russia. The Adoption Decree is issued after the court grants a favorable ruling in the adoption proceeding. The family then takes the child home from the orphanage and begins the exit process through the U.S. Embassy.

Please consult our travel information for assistance with travel plans and details.

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You have been wonderful to work with, and we have highly recommended Frost to several others we have come
in contact with. Thanks, again.
-- Tom & Margaret