Russian Adoption

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but this is Russia-specific. My husband and I are wanting to adopt. We would really love to adopt from Russia. Since I'm American, I obviously cannot do that. But does anyone happen to know anything about it being allowed if one spouse is a Russian citizen? Or if that isn't allowed, maybe my husband can adopt & then what..we have to go through another immigration process to get the child here then I can adop him/her? This is so complicated. We are planning to adopt one or two American children that are older. But infants are nearly impossible to adopt here without a huge amount of money. That's why we would like to adopt from Russia plus having ties to my husband's homeland.

[Dakine10 5,452]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but this is Russia-specific. My husband and I are wanting to adopt. We would really love to adopt from Russia. Since I'm American, I obviously cannot do that. But does anyone happen to know anything about it being allowed if one spouse is a Russian citizen? Or if that isn't allowed, maybe my husband can adopt & then what..we have to go through another immigration process to get the child here then I can adop him/her? This is so complicated. We are planning to adopt one or two American children that are older. But infants are nearly impossible to adopt here without a huge amount of money. That's why we would like to adopt from Russia plus having ties to my husband's homeland.

The law, when passed, said the Russian citizen has to remain a resident of Russia throughout the process to adopt a child. There has been ongoing debate on this as the Duma has recognized that this does not reconcile completely with existing citizenship laws which are not based on residency.

I'm not aware of any recent changes but I havent been following closely. I didn't find anything online to indicated they've done anything beyond discussing possible changes. There might be more current information checking directly with Russian sources.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

I did a little more research as did my husband. He said that in the eyes of Russia, we are a Russian family. He is still a full Russian citizen. So, we would be able to adopt. However, I think that we would have to do the living with the child in Russia for the two years before we could immigrate him/her. I don't know how living in Russia for that long would work with my husband's immigration status. Well, it wouldn't work. So I guess if we get to our last resort, we would have to just go live in Russia.

[baron555 934]

I did a little more research as did my husband. He said that in the eyes of Russia, we are a Russian family. He is still a full Russian citizen. So, we would be able to adopt.

Probably, but the child may not be allowed to leave.

However, I think that we would have to do the living with the child in Russia for the two years before we could immigrate him/her.

It might be more. PM me as my wife has personal experience.

I don't know how living in Russia for that long would work with my husband's immigration status. Well, it wouldn't work.

Correct, AOS assumes the the majority of the year is spent living in the US>

So I guess if we get to our last resort, we would have to just go live in Russia.

Correct.

PM me and I can get you in touch with my wife if you want better info, at least from her experience, which she has.

Phil