The Russian Program
Adoption Horizons started a program in Russia in August 1995, and in May 2001, became the first Canadian agency accredited by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Adoption Horizons works with 9 different regions in Russia: cities in close proximity to Moscow, in various parts of Siberia, in Central Russia, and the Far Eastern part of Russia.
Children available
Russian legislation requires that all children presented for international adoption first must be registered for one month with the Regional Data Bank and for six months with the Federal Data Bank. Thus, the youngest child available at the time of referral will be at least eight and a half to nine months old. All the children are tested for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B prior to placement. Once a child is identified, the adoptive family receives a short medical summary along with 1-3 photographs. During the first trip, the adoptive parents meet with the child at the orphanage for a period of 6-10 hours, collecting all the social and medical information on the child, as well as taking videos and pictures. This information they can later share with their doctor and practitioner back home.
Travel requirements
Russian adoption law requires two mandatory trips to complete an adoption. The first trip, which lasts five to seven days, is made to meet and establish contact with the child. The second trip, lasting 10–21 days, includes a visit to the child in his orphanage, an appearance at the Regional Court to finalize the adoption, and a stop at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow to obtain the child’s entry visa. The gap between two trips is four to eight weeks. All international adoptions are processed by the Russian Regional Courts. Both parents must appear in court in the city where the child is residing.Immigration requirements
It is mandatory that shortly after the parents’ first trip, a Canadian DMP examines the child for Canadian Immigration purposes. The results of the medical exam are sent to the Canadian High Medical Commission for approval. Adoptive parents also receive a copy of the medical report. After the child’s medical is approved by the High Medical Commission, the Canadian Embassy in Moscow issues a letter stating that the entry visa for the child will be granted.
Length of process
The whole process takes approximately six to ten months after a homestudy is completed. Identification time for the child may range from two to six months. However, each case is unique and length of time may vary depending on the availability, age and gender of the child.
Eligibility criteria
The Russian government accepts applications from married couples and single prospective adoptive parents. There is age restitution in Russia. Generally, there may be no more than a 42-year age difference between an adoptive mother and a child. Applicants who are older then 42 are eligible to adopt toddlers.
Couples should be married for at least 2 years. The adopted child leaves Russia as a Russian citizen with a Russian passport. Upon arriving to Canada, adoptive parents may apply for a Canadian citizenship for their child.