Adopting from Russia

Russia Adoption F.A.Q.

Do I qualify to adopt from Russia?

Parents interested in adopting from Russia need to meet the following eligibility requirements. 

• Married couples must be married for three years
• Single women are eligible in certain regions
• You must be between the ages of 25-55 years
• Parents must have no history of cancer or insulin dependent diabetes
• If you have a history of emotional or mental health issues, please contact Tania for further information.
• Certain criminal histories will exclude you from adopting from Russia, please contact Tania for further information.

What are the children like?

The children available for adoption range from as young as 10 months to school aged children.   The boys available for adoption tend to be younger than the girls.  Russia is like the U.S. in the diversity of the people and this is reflected in the children available for adoption.  Many families choose to adopt from Russia because they have the option of adopting a child with Asian heritage.

How long will my adoption take?

Your adoption will probably take about 15-24 months to complete.  If you are interested in adopting a little girl under the age of two years, your adoption might take longer.  The wait to be matched with a child can range between 6 weeks and 1 year.  The more open you are to age and gender, the faster your adoption will happen.

How do I choose a child to adopt?

When adopting from Russia a ministry in the government of Russia chooses a child for you to review.  You have an opportunity to have information about the child reviewed by a doctor before you agree to adopt the child.

Can I adopt more than one child at a time?

Sibling groups are available for adoption in Russia!  This is an excellent opportunity to add several children to your family at one time.

Do I have to travel to meet and adopt my child?

You will travel to Russia to complete your adoption.  There are two trips required and a third trip is optional for families.  The trips can range from 4 days to 24 days.

Is there an advantage to adopting from Russia through ABC Adoption Services?

ABC Adoption Services and Carolina Adoption Services have remained in good standing with the Russian Adoption Officials.  This allows us to work in several regions offering you more choices.  We have also worked with our facilitator in Russia for over 14 years.  Tania Griasnow, Russia program coordinator, is of Russian descent and speaks the language fluently and has a great understanding of the Russian culture.  This benefits families in the amount of information available before and after their adoption.  While you are in Russia, as with your whole adoption journey, we are with you every step of the way.  You will not need to navigate your appointments and court by yourself; you will have a facilitator with you to ensure your success.

For more information about adopting from Russia click here!

Download our adoption information packet here.