- complete the home study. Click 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
- Review medical data wih International Adoption Doctor I used Dr. Simone
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





Welcome to my adoption blog. I am a thirty something Canadian Chick in the process of becoming a mommy bird through international adoption. I can't promise that my mind and heart won't wander off topic as I am apt to do and so may my posts. I can promise that I will share with you the joy and pain that is the stuff of all great journeys. The facts and the feelings, the laughter and the tears, the lessons and the bliss.
