APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Married couples and single women, including divorcees and widows, are eligible to adopt. Common-Law couples may also arrange to adopt, however, this would transpire through a more complicated process. In most cases, the easiest way for Common-Law couples to adopt would be through a single mother process. Age limitations vary among districts, but in general, most regions also allow for older applicants (see also the following paragraph under children's ages). Also, importantly, in Russia there are health regulations that may be relevant to your situation. Please feel free to call and discuss any of your particular circumstances in confidence.

CHILDREN — AGE, SEX, RACE, HEALTH

Over the years, we have facilitated adoption of boys and girls, from 5 months to 7 years of age. In Russia today, only younger families (up to the age of 42) may request younger children (up to 24 months old at the time of referral). Families older than 42 years of age may request children up to 36 months old at the time of referral. For even older parents, please call us to discuss your particular circumstances.

The majority of children we have placed are Caucasian; however, there are Asian and mixed race children available for international adoption from Russia as well.

Regarding the health of the children, most have been in orphanage care since birth. Although all orphanages generally provide good nutrition and standards of medical care, depending on the particular circumstances of the child, we do occasionally see malnourished children being proposed for international adoption. Nevertheless, as a result of various aid programs, most orphanages are able to maintain at least basic requirements, and many even attain a one to one ratio of total staff to children. Thus, stimulation levels can be higher, reducing the risk of severe developmental, psychological and medical problems due to prolonged institutionalization.

Many orphanage children are born premature and small. Developmental delays are common at time of placement. Nevertheless, most of the children we have placed are in the normal range of health within a few months to a year of being in a good home. Indeed many excel intellectually, athletically and socially. On the other hand, some take longer to adapt and some of these may have or develop persistent medical conditions. For these reasons, we make it a priority to help our families obtain the best possible medical and social assessments and evaluations.

For more detailed look at children and health please request our information kit and see also the helpful links section in our web site.

about children and eligibility