Adopting from Russia
ICANZ was one of the earliest organisations worldwide to assist with finding families for children in Russian orphanages, with the first children adopted by New Zealanders in St Petersburg in 1992, when communism had recently ended and the world was beginning to learn about the many needy children in Russian orphanages. In response to requests from New Zealanders, ICANZ established the compatibility of Russian and New Zealand laws, and became knowledgeable in the legal process New Zealanders must follow when adopting in Russia. New Zealanders can be assured that their adoptions follow Russian law and are in the best interests of the child, as this is a requirement of the court. Russian adoptions are government approved, with a child matched to you by the regional child welfare government department (usually the Department of Education and Science), approved by the central Ministry of Education and Science, and finalized by a Judge in a Russian court. Additionally, for ICANZ applicants, the adoption of a specific child must be approved by the New Zealand Central Authority.
Since 1992, ICANZ families have adopted over 670 children, from regions in the west of Russia to western Siberia. Children aged from 8 months to over 10 years, including sibling groups, have been adopted.
Russian Statistics
It is estimated that about 500,000 children are without parental care throughout Russia, with about 150,000 of these living in orphanages (the rest are in foster care or similar arrangements.) Children that have been deemed to need new families (i.e. cannot return to their family of origin) are registered on the Data Bank of children (http://www.usynovite.ru/). Some will be placed in families through adoption, some through guardianship by Russian families only.
Statistics from the Russian Ministry of Education show that of those who are not adopted and leave the orphanage as teenagers, 50% fall into a high risk category, 40% become drug users, 40% commit crimes, 10% commit suicide and only 4% are admitted to universities. Read about life in the Russian orphanage system at Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund and at Human Rights Watch.
The Russian Government Departments first try for 8 months to place babies and children in the orphanages with local Russian adoptive families. If this does not happen, the children may then be placed with foreign families. All children who are adopted internationally have been in the care of the Russian government, living in state run orphanages.
According to the Russian Government, in 2008 foreigners adopted 4,100 children and Russian citizens adopted 9,100 children. Additionally, Russian citizens took many children under foster care. Foreigners cannot be given children under guardianship or foster care.
Adoptions from Russia have been on hold while ICANZ was waiting for its permit to operate on the territory of the Russian Federation. On 9 July 2010 the Russian Minister signed permission for ICANZ's Permit to be issued. View the Minister's order here and the actual permit here.
The next step before applicants can apply to adopt children from Russian orphanages is for the New Zealand Central Authority (CYF) and ICANZ to visit Russia to discuss and agree an intercountry adoption process which is consistent with the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. An approach is currently being made to the Russian authorities to establish a timeframe for meetings.
Once a process has been agreed with Russia, New Zealanders who wish to apply to adopt children from Russian orphanages must undergo an adoption education and preparation course, to be assessed and approved by a Child, Youth and Family social worker (including police vetting, medical checks, referee reports, social worker interviews) and complete a homestudy assessment report.
If you are interested in adopting from Russia, you should contact ICANZ about the Russian process and contact your local CYF Adoptions Service about the homestudy process.
Registration for Russian Adoption
ICANZ will accept early registrations for Russian adoption, but only from those who have already completed the Adoption Education and Preparation course with CYF, had their police/medical clearance and are very confident of gaining CYF approval once CYF commence homestudies for Russia. This may apply to those who have been approved before, or those who were approved when CYF ceased homestudies, or approved for another country. The onus is on the applicant to decide whether to register early, or wait for official written CYF approval as adoptive parents and homestudy before registering with ICANZ.
For those who choose to register early, once CYF commences homestudies, and completes your homestudy, ICANZ will prioritise your application. Registering early with ICANZ does not change any priorities CYF may develop in completing homestudies for applicants.
Before your homestudy is completed ICANZ will send you instructions on the document you need to gather for the application to Russia, and keep you up to date with progress on the Russian programme.
If you wish to consider early registration, please contact ICANZ for further discussion about your personal situation. We will then email you an information pack and early registration form.
Minor details of the process may change following the New Zealand Central Authority (CYF) impending visit to Russia.
Video:
The Russo family of Long Island struggled with their Russian adoptive daughter, Alyona, as she coped with anger and alienation. But the family has turned the tide.