Question by smile ! you love me.: Getting around the one month residence rule for adoption from Russia?
I have a friend who was adopted from Russia this year. She is fourteen. She had a friend back in the orphanage whom has not been adopted yet, and one of my coworkers is looking to adopt another child. She said that she definitely would adopt this girl except in order to adopt a child from Russia she must live in Russia for a month. She has four kids at home and obviously isn’t able to do this. I know that there must be a way to get around this rule. Maybe petitioning someone or something? What could she do?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Kelly M
i didn’t even read all your post. but here’s how to get around the one month residence rule:
adopt from foster care in america, you selfish witch.
What do you think? Answer below!
Becca says
When we adopted from China we stayed there for 2 weeks (which is a very short time period IMO).
It was just one of the requirements and we knew that going into the whole adoption process. I would have never tried to "get around it". If the country is giving you a child then the least you can do is follow their rules. If not, well then you must be Madonna!
Gemma S says
Tell your friend that this child is not a collector's item, but a person, and that the laws that are in place are there for a reason. Too lenient, in my opinion, but there for a reason, nonetheless.
Angela R says
When adopting a child from Russia, the adoptive parents do spend a total of about 4 weeks in Russia, but it's not all in one trip, and isn't a residency requirement. there are specific things that need to be done while in Russia at certain times, and this can be done in either 2 or 3 separate trips, but no, there is no way to get around this.
Here is a better explaination of the travel process for Russian adoption.
Adoptive parents will be required to make two or three trips to Russia. Each person traveling will need to obtain an entry visa for each trip made.
First Trip: The first trip of approximately one week typically takes place, on average within 1 month from the child's referral, though in some regions it may take up to 3 months from the time of the referral. The primary purpose of this trip is to gather medical information and meet and observe your child.
Second Trip: The second trip takes place approximately 2-5 months after the first, depending on the child's region. Both parents are required to make the second trip. The purpose of this trip is to attend the court hearing. Once court has been completed, parents have two travel options:
Remain in Russia for a total of 3 weeks, bringing the child home at the end of this period of time.
Return to the U.S. and make a third trip 10-12 days later for a total of 1 week to bring the child home. Only one parent would need to return for this third trip. *
I know many families who've adopted internationally while already having other children at home. Most have chosen to leave their other children at home with the grandparents or another relative, and some have just taken their other children along with them (although this can be very expensive and difficult at times)
The best thing your co-worker can do is find out which agency is incharge of this child's case, and speak with them directly. It's great that this family wants to adopt an older child, but there's a certain way that things must be done in international adoptions that there's just no way of getting around. If this family is truly commited to adopting this child, then I'm sure they'll find a way to make it work. Also, encourage them to do A LOT of research on adopting an older child, especially a child who's grown up in an institution, and how to best help this child adjust without having unrealistic expectations.
DevonChaos says
You don't get around it. There is a good reason for it. Plus, wouldn't someone want to experience the culture so that they can help keep it in the child's life? There are reasons for every standard the agency holds someone to, and circumventing them is only going to bring trouble.
If she cannot make the trip to Russia, she has no business adopting from there. If she feels the need to bring a child into her home, there are plenty here in our own foster care system who are in dire need of a family.
Nurse Autumn Intacti says
You don't
They should stay in the country for at least that long and learn about the culture that the child is from