The Gladney Center for Adoption's first Russian adoptions occurred in the Spring of 1994. Since that time, our Russian program has accelerated to become one of our largest international programs. We have placed over 450 children from Russia. Through the efforts of our Gladney team members in Russia, we are receiving a constant flow of infant and toddler referrals for placement.

The adoption process, from start to finish is typically completed within 12 to 18 months. Two trips are required of families adopting from Russia. The first trip involves the parents visiting the child with limited or no information on this child prior to the first trip. Parents travel again to complete their adoption approximately 2 to 4 months from the time they accept a referral of a child after the first trip, assuming their paperwork is completed and is accepted by adoption officials. Because an appearance before the court is required to finalize the adoption, both parents are required to travel.

Following the court hearing, a 10-day wait is required for the adoption decree to go into effect; however this 10 day wait is waived in many cases. Following the receipt of the adoption decree, the family obtains a new birth certificate and passport for their child in the region of the adoption. Next the family travels back to Moscow to process the child's U.S. immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy. An adoption in Russia will be completed within an 10 to 12 day stay. While in Russia, parents are accompanied by a translator and/or a Gladney representative at all times.

Adoption Criteria
Preferably, adoptive parents should be no more than 45 years older than the child they wish to adopt. Some exceptions do apply.

• Single women, who meet the criteria may also adopt.
• At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen.
• Other children in the home are acceptable.
• Parent(s) should not have any major medical issues.

You will be required to complete a foreign dossier. The Gladney Center for Adoption will assist you with this process.

Country and Culture
Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia is still an expansive land -- stretching from the borders with Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine and Turkey in the west, passing Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China, to reach the Pacific Ocean some 6000 kilometers further. A predominantly flat landscape is punctuated only by the Urals, which rise no higher than 1900 meters, and the more substantial ranges of the Far East. The landscape shifts from the northern forests to the black earth of Asia's grain basket. In Moscow, winter sets in by the end of November and lasts until early April. A historicly significant city, Moscow is rich in culture and tradition.

For more information, call 1-800-INT-ADOP and request an International Information Packet, or you may request it online.