Adopting a Child from Russia? Latest Updates and Contact Info

After an unfortunate situation where an adoptive parent, Torry Ann Hansen, returned her adopted son back to Russia , there have been conflicting reports about the status of Russian adoptions. This has left potential adoptive parents confused and worried, wondering if the adoptions of Russian children will be completed. In a recent press briefing for the U.S. Department of State ,Assistant Secretary Phillip Crowley noted that "we are aware that there have been pending cases before the courts and those cases have been postponed". He also noted that " there may well be delays."

This kind of information leaves parents in the process of adopting children from Russia anxious and wondering about what to expect. Will their adoptions go through or not? Here are some top resources for keeping up with a situation that could be changing any day now:

How to Keep Up With Changes in Russian Adoption Laws

Adoption agencies, including the one we used, are monitoring the situation day by day and some are suggesting that prospective adoptive parents who chose to adopt from Russia also have a second country lined up as a possible choice for adoption. This could be a very wise move.

We learned firsthand how quickly international adoption laws can change when - within days of adopting our son from overseas - all adoptions were suspended. At this point, those adopting Russian children need to know who to contact and how to keep up with the latest information. In some cases, social networks can also be useful (but common sense is recommended if those are used).

What to Do If Your Russian Adoption is Completed and You are Awaiting Your Child's Immigrant Visa

The U.S. Embassy is reportedly issuing immigrant visas for adopted children. Contact Visa Services for Russia at this U.S. Embassy page here . Schedule an appointment as soon as possible and if you have any questions, email MoscowConsularR@state.gov. Stay in contact with other parents who are completing adoptions in Russia and share the latest updates and news with others.

If You Have or Are Awaiting A Court Appointment to Make Your Child's Adoption Complete

According to an updated Russian notice by the U.S. Department of State, found here , some adoption cases may already have been postponed. The information at that site notes that "we have heard of cases in which a court appointment has been postponed." However, information also indicates that cases may be moving forward as well.Sound confusing? It is!

Parents who are awaiting court appointments are urged to provide that information as soon as possible by emailing either RussiaAdoption@state.gov or MoscowConsularR@state.gov. This give the Department of State a chance to work as quickly as possible with Russian officials and to keep with the latest developments, based on experiences of parents in the adoption process.

Considering a Russian Adoption? What you Need to Know Now

It is important to stay in close touch with the adoption agency. It can also be vital to stay in contact with parents who are already in Russia, hoping to finalize their adoptions. Have a Twitter or Facebook account? Try to keep up with adoptive parents you've met (possibly through an international adoption support group) and who are now in Russia.

Finally, check the State Department's page on intercountry adoptions which can be found here . At this point, the most recent bulletin (April 16) notes that The Department of State has not received confirmation that adoptions are suspended or halted. However, the situation is reportedly developing and The Department of State is sending a team to Russia within the week to clarify details. Look for possible changes or new information to emerge soon.

How to (Possibly) Adopt a Russian Child in the Future

At this point, parents who are trying to adopt a Russian child can take some steps to stay in the information loop. It is important to contact the proper authorities based on where parents are in the adoption process. Reputable international adoption agencies specializing in Russian adoptions may be a first line source of information but there are other steps that can also be taken.

For those who are interested in adopting from Russia, current updates can be obtained by emailing RussiaAdoption@state.gov. It would also be wise to check U.S Department of State page on intercountry adoption to make sure Russian adoptions haven't been suspended. Be realistic and consider a second country for adoption if Russian adoptions do come to a halt. If you have further questions, use the designated email listed above for more information.

To read more about Torry Ann Hansen and her decision to disrupt her adoption and return the child to Russia, you can read about that here .

Sources:

Personal experience
U.S State Department Issues Statement on Russian Adoption Row, Eurasia Review, April 17, 2010: here http://www.eurasiareview.com/2010/04/us-state-dept-issues-statement-on.html
U.S. Department of State page on intercountry adoption, found here
U.S. Embassy Visa Page for Russia here
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, April 16, here
Did Disruption of Russian Boy's Adoption Break the Law? Associated Content, April 13, here
Information from calls to our adoption agency