Adoption Process

Once a family has applied and been accepted into WCS’s Russian Program they will begin assembling their dossier. The dossier is divided into two parts: the mini dossier and the main dossier. Your dossier specialist will provide you with the templates and assist you in preparing all required documentation for your mini and main dossiers.

The mini dossier consists of those documents that are submitted to the Ministry of Science and Education in order for a family to receive a referral. Once your mini dossier is submitted it generally takes 6-12 months to receive a referral, based on the age, gender and health condition of the child requested and the number of children available for adoption at that particular time.

The child referral will consist of the month and year of the child’s birth, very brief medical information and at least one photo. You will receive a more comprehensive medical report on your child referral when you are in Russia. Approximately 1-4 weeks after a family receives a referral they will travel to Russia on their first trip to meet the child or children. Families will usually spend a week in Russia on first trip.

Once back in the US, families will begin working on their main dossier. The main dossier is a compilation of documents that are required for a family to be assigned a court date. After the main dossier is submitted to the court and the judge has reviewed the dossier a family is assigned a court date. Courts are usually held 1-2 months after the dossier has been received by the court. Families will usually spend three to four weeks in Russia on their 2^nd trip.

After the court hearing the 10-day waiting period begins. Judges rarely waive the 10-day waiting period. Families will know the judge’s decision on the day of court but under Russian law families must wait 10 days before the adoption is officially and legally recognized.

At the end of the 10 day waiting period families will be given their child or children’s new birth certificate(s), adoption certificate(s), and court decree. You will also apply for a Russian passport for your child or children.