process

The first thing we did when we decided to adopt from Russia was order the I-600A adoption packet from INS. I sent away for information packets from alot of agencies. You can find a big list of agencies at Russian Adoption Medical Services. I also joined A-PARENT-RUSS. It's a big Russian adoption mailing list for families who are in the adoption process or who have already adopted. This is where I gathered the most useful information.

After much consideration and feedback we decided to use Frank Adoption Center as our agency. We mailed the I-600A form to INS and sent the application to FAC, who in turn sent us the dossier package. We then set up an appointment for our homestudy. Initially you don't need the homestudy to send in the I-600A form. We attached a cover letter with the form stating that the homestudy would follow upon it's completion. The dossier did seem overwhelming at first but we found taking it one step at a time made it a little easier.

It took two weeks to receive the fingerprint appointment letter from INS and we were given a two week timeframe to have them done. When we received the completed homestudy we sent it out to INS and one month later received approval. Once the dossier was authenticated (notarized, certified and apostilled) we mailed it to the agency. We were now at the referral stage.

We received our referral which consisted of a video, picture and medical. We made copies of it and sent it out to two Dr.s who specialize in international adoption

Some of the information on the medical can be quite scary, but some of the diagnosis' seem to be very common on many of the medical referrals. Once we officially accepted the referral we were ready to travel.

Packing was a real challenge. Especially packing for Siberia in December. Here's a list of some of things that we were glad we brought. Camera and alot of film, video camera and an extra battery, electrical convertor and adapter, hot pot, tea, coffee singles, breakfast bars and lots of snacks, toilet paper, tissues, Woolite, bathtowels (2), my adoption journal, books and an English-Russian dictionary. I wish I would have brought some cold medicine and antibiotics.

Once home you will need to have post-placements done. It is vital to make sure they are done. It may seem like an inconveniance but that was one of the requirements and it may be benefitial to families adopting after you.