Expanding Your Family:
Adopting from Russia
Russia has the largest land mass of any country in the world. Its 17 million square miles are home to more than 100 nationalities, making it one of the most multinational countries in the world. Additionally, some 32 ethnic groups are scattered throughout its territory.
Hope Cottage has a cooperative agreement with two agencies that have an impressive history of accreditation in Russia. The first, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, is an agency located in California. Nightlight has been accredited in Russia to facilitate international adoption for more than ten years. We also work with Maine Adoption Placement Services (MAPS). However, we'll gladly work with any family planning to adopt from Russia as long as their placement agency is accredited in Russia or is seeking accreditation.
The Children We Serve
Russian children of all ages need adoptive families. Infants may be as young as 8 months old at assignment. Toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children of both genders are also available, as are older children and some with medical issues and special needs. Many have siblings in need of placement, too. Social and medical information on the child is available from the orphanage; however, information on the birthfamily isn't always available.
Who We're Looking For
Hope Cottage works with families in most areas of Texas. Our main office is located in Dallas, but we have experienced contract social workers in other parts of the state to provide many services that families adopting from Russia will need. We encourage couples and individuals to choose a Russian placement agency before beginning the Hope Cottage application process. If you have already been accepted by a Russian placement agency, please contact us and we'll help you begin the home study process right away.
The Adoption Process
Hope Cottage works primarily with two accredited Russian placement agencies to facilitate international adoptions: Nightlight Christian Adoptions and Maine Adoption Placement Services (MAPS). But we can also work with families who have selected other Russian placement agencies around the country.
Initially, Hope Cottage prepares your family's home study and does initial adoption education. For placement agencies with a representative in Texas, Hope Cottage assists families through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval process. We provide guidance and additional training during the waiting time and conduct the post-placement services required by Russia. Hope Cottage will be the local contact for some placement agencies and provide families with continued support and training throughout the waiting and supervision stages.
From application to arrival home with a child, the process can take anywhere from 10 to 16 months. Your Russian placement agency will have a more accurate time estimate of the process based on the profile of the child or children you plan to adopt.
Additional Information Regarding Your Russian Adoption
With the help of your Russian placement agency, you'll work on the documents required by the Russian government to register for adoption. They'll also determine where in Russia to file your registration. Once your registration is accepted, you'll wait for a travel date based on the profile of the child you have requested.
This first visit to Russia typically lasts 5-7 days. When you arrive in Russia, an agency representative meets you and remains with you throughout your stay. You'll travel to your child's region where you will receive information about them. We recommend thoroughly reviewing the medical and social information and consulting with your personal medical doctor and an international medical expert who has experience with orphan health issues.
Upon identifying your child, you'll sign the assignment paperwork and return home to wait for completion of the legal work (usually one to two months) and the assignment of a court date. Your dossier must be finalized at this time and submitted as part of the final documentation.
On your second trip to Russia (typically one to two weeks long), you'll appear in court for the adoption hearing. The Russian placement agency takes all the steps necessary for your paperwork to continue moving through the legal channels, and you remain in Russia until all this paperwork is finalized.
Prior to returning to the United States with your child, you'll be interviewed at the American Embassy in Moscow so a visa can be issued for your child. The agency staff in Russia schedules this interview and provides all Russian legal papers needed for it. (A visit to an approved medical clinic for the exit physical exam will be required prior to this embassy appointment.) Additionally, your Russian agency will help you assemble any documentation required for the interview before you leave home.
Rest assured, supervision and support for your family will continue even after you return home with your child. Hope Cottage sends post-placement reports and pictures to the Russian placement agency at stated intervals for three years after your return home with your child.
Adoption Fees
Average total costs for a Russian adoption range from $38,000-$42,000. This includes Hope Cottage and Russian placement agency fees, legal fees in Russia, costs related to Citizenship and Immigration Service applications, dossier expenses, child's visa to enter the U.S. and parents' visa to enter Russia, travel and living expenses in Russia and other incidental costs related to international adoption.
We are currently accepting families in this program. For an individual or group orientation meeting, please contact us.