About the Process

  • complete the home studyClick to see a description of this process 
  • pick an Adoption Agency.  My agency is Adoption Horizon's in Toronto
  • research and choose a country.  If you are a single woman your choices are more limited then couple's
  • complete all the paperwork.  This varies by region but I have done the paperwork for two countries and mine included
    • Medicals
    • Finincial Statements
    • Child welfare checks
    • RCMP Fingerprint checks
    • Photos
    • References
  • Paperwork happens in stages throughout the process- referred to as the paperchase
  • Ministry Approval
  • Immigration Application
  • Registration in the Region (in Russia)  My agency works in eight regions
  • Proposal of Child

If you accept then plan for Trip One (12 days)
    • Visa application
    • Travel Itinerary (facilitated by Travel Agent and Agency)
  • Meet with MOE and Facilitator then go to orphanage
    • Spend several days reviewing medicals and bonding with child- in my case 7 days- 4 hours a day (10am-12pm 2-4pm) but this varies by Region and Orphanage
    • Formally accept/decline proposal once you make a decision
    • If you move forward then spend 2 days getting 9 doctor medicals in Moscow
    • File a bunch more papers
  • Return Home 
    • Meet with your Social Worker to review proposal and apply for Ministry Approval
    • Wait for approval from Ministry and High Commission in England
    • Apply for Business Visa for next trip
    • Wait for Court Date- this takes approximately 10-12 weeks
Trip #2- 21 Days
    • Travel to Region
    • Prep for Court
    • Court Hearing
    • Wait for judges decision.... celebrate when it's a YES
    • Wait out 10 day wait period 
    • Gotcha Day is 11 days after the start of the wait period
    • Paperwork to leave Region then leave for Moscow
    • 1-2 days in Moscow to obtain Canadian Passport
    • HOME
  • Once you return to Canada you have a series of post-placement reports to complete over time to be submitted to Russia.  These are critical to ensure the future success of other adoptive parents