Hands Across The Water
International Program
Russia

Russia - The Country
Russia is the largest country in area in the world, with vast stretches of forest, marsh and plain. It is a beautiful land of great rivers that flow through frozen tundra, black earth regions and arid desert lands. The change from a communist government to a capitalist nation has brought change in the social and economic life for the people of Russia. There is much evidence today of Russia's struggle to adapt to a new social order.

Most Russians live in cities where there is much evidence of pride in Russia's rich cultural heritage. Moscow, whose history covers more than two thousand years, is the heart of this vast country. It is regarded as the symbol of both spiritual and political power.

Why Choose to Adopt in Russia?
There are many children in Russia in dire need of a family. With the governmental changes a large number of families are unable to provide for their children. Children whose families no longer can care for them are being left at baby hospitals or orphanages. Other children are placed in institutions because of parental neglect or criminal activity.

Who Can Adopt From Russia?
Married couples and single women may adopt from Russia. Couples must be married at least 1 year. Prior divorce is acceptable. There are no restrictions regarding other children in the home. There are no age restrictions for adoptive parents, other than they must be no older than 45 years older than the child, although this is flexible by region.

Children Available
All children in Russia must be listed with Russia’s National Data Bank for at least 6 months. Children available are infants over the age of 9 months, toddlers, older children and sibling groups. The children are generally Caucasian in appearance, but may be of Gypsy or Asiatic heritage. The children generally are of good health yet have some developmental delays due to the orphanage setting. There are also children available who have special needs.

Russian Adoption Process:
Hands Across The Water is committed to guiding you through the adoption process. “We’ve been there, now we’re here for you.”

1. Apply to Hands Across The Water for services. HATW refers family to CWA.
2. Complete your Home Study with Hands Across The Water. Participate in CWA orientation.
3. File your I-600A with the USCIS (INS).
4. Prepare your dossier for Russia. HATW assists you in this process and reviews the dossier before submission to CWA coordinators who submits it to the Russian Ministry of Education.
5. Hands Across The Water will tell you what region to which your case has been assigned and when you may travel for a referral of a child or siblings, if requested. This will be your 1st trip and will last 5 – 7 days. During this trip you will complete documents to be submitted to be given a court date.
6. Approximately 2 – 4 months after your 1st (referral acceptance) trip to Russia, you travel to Russia for your 2nd trip. You will go to court for the adoption hearing, and remain in Russia for 10 – 21 days, depending on region and the court system of Russia. Your 2nd stay in Russia is a very valuable time to learn about the country, people and culture of your child's birth.
7. Before leaving Russia you must register your adopted child with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Division, in Moscow, complete the child’s visa medical exam, and apply for a US visa at the US Embassy. Your stay in Moscow for this process will be no less than 4 business days.