REGIONAL SUSPENSIONS ON ADOPTION PROCESSING IN RUSSIA ALERT

REGIONAL SUSPENSIONS ON ADOPTION PROCESSING IN RUSSIA

The Department of State has received reports that local departments of education and some judges in Russia have instituted a de facto freeze on adoptions to the United States. In some instances we are told that local departments of education have refused to provide referrals which are necessary for agencies and families to schedule court dates.
The Department of State has not received official notice that adoptions to the United States have been suspended and continues to work closely with Russian authorities to obtain as much information on the situation as possible. Updated information will be provided as it becomes available on www.adoption.state.gov <http://adoption.state.gov/>.
http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=russia_4

Russia Update on Processing Time Increase

Russia

February 21, 2012

Notice: Processing Time for Adoptions Increased

On January 1, 2012, the Russian Family Code was amended so that presiding judges will announce decisions in cases, including intercountry adoption cases, at the end of in-person court hearings. Courts will issue written rulings five days later. In cases where the ruling leads to an adoption decree, that decree goes into effect thirty days after issuance, at which point adopting parents can apply in person for the child’s Russian passport. These changes will increase the amount of time and, possibly, travel required to complete an adoption.

http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=russia_3