The typical adoption takes about 9 months to complete. A lot of prospective parents consider the phases to be like the three trimesters of pregnancy, only in this case, it's the three trimesters of adoption.
The First Trimester
- Assemble Paperwork
- Select Homestudy Agency
- Submit Initial Paperwork to Adoption Agency
- Homestudy Visits
- Paperwork to INS
- Homestudy Draft Written
- Notarize Initial Dossier
- Homestudy Approved
- Homestudy Sent to BCIS
- Dossier Apostilled
- INS Finger Printing
- Apostilled Dossier Sent to Agency
- Receive 171H from INS
Second Trimester
- Dossier translated & filed in Russia
- Apply for Russian Visas
- Recieve Medical Review from International Adoption Doctors
- Immunizations & Travel Rx
- Receive Visas
- Trip One - Meet our Child, Sign Referral Acceptance, Apply for Release Letter from Russian Database
Third Trimester
- Assemble Final Dossier
- Receive Release Letter from Russian Database
- File Release Letter & Dossier with the Russian Department of Education
- File Child's Dossier with Russian Court
- Receive News of Court Date
- Trip Two - Bring our Child Home
The Homestudy involves specific paperwork and interviews. Here is the list of what is required for the Homestudy:
- Autobiography with Personal History, Education, Marriage, Employment and Financial Statements
- Description of Home and Neighborhood
- Motivation to Adopt, Experiences with Other Children, Attitude about Discipline
- Support Networks, Family, Friends
- Photocopies of Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Local Police Clearance, Financial Statement, Medical Clearance signed by Doctor, 3 Reference Letters from Non Family Members, Child Abuse Screening Report, 1040 Tax Return, Insurance Cards, Passport Pages, Employer Letter
- Copy of Homestudy Agency Licence, Social Worker's Licence
- Recommendation Letter
- Post Placement Agreement Letter
- Visit with Social Worker in our Home, Interviews with Social Worker together and seperately