Children

In Kazakhstan, children are available for adoption typically as a result of abandonment at the hospital at birth. Minimal birth parent history may be available, along with some of the child's medical history. These children are usually abandoned because the birth family is unable to provide for them.

Healthy infants, toddlers, and school age children are available for Kazakhstan adoption. Infants will be at least eight months and older at the time they are matched to families. Both boys and girls are available for adoption. The children reside in baby homes and orphanages until the adoption process is complete.

The children in Kazakhstan represent a variety of ethnicities including Asian, Eurasian, and Caucasian. The majority of babies available for adoption are Asian and Eurasian. You must be open to any combination of the foregoing ethnicities to adopt from Kazakhstan.

Special needs children are also available.

Process

In conjunction with the preparation of your homestudy, you will complete a foreign dossier. The dossier simply refers to documents required by the foreign government to approve your adoption. Many other agencies will simply provide you a set of forms and list of documents which you will be required to complete. However, with Adoption Covenant you will be assigned a representative to help you step by step with the preparation of your dossier. In fact, to the extent possible, we will prepare your dossier for you.

Once your dossier is completed, authenticated and translated, it will be forwarded to the Kazakhstan Consulate. The Consulate will then send your dossier to the Ministry of Education in Kazakhstan, where it will pass through several Ministries before final approval. Once your dossier has been approved, you will be issued letter of invitation. A letter of invitation is usually received within two to six months of submitting your dossier to the Consulate. A letter of invitation for older children can happen more quickly.

When you receive your letter of invitation Adoption Covenant will assist you then make travel plans to Almaty, Kazakhstan and then to the region to which you have been referred. Once you arrive at your final destination in Kazakhstan you will visit the orphanage to locate your child and begin the bonding process.

Adoption Travel Requirements

Once the family receives a letter of invitation and obtain their travel visas, they will arrange to travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan. The family can choose to make one trip to Kazakhstan, where they can expect to spend approximately 45 days in the foreign country, or make two trips, with the first trip being about three weeks and then finalizing the adoption with a second trip to Kazakhstan about 2 to 3 weeks later. The second trip will take approximately one week. They will have the opportunity to visit their child in the orphanage and spend a mandatory 14 day period bonding with their child. The "bonding period" is a Kazakhstan government requirement for all families.

While in Almaty, Kazakhstan, families stay in furnished apartments or hotel. Every phase of the adoption process occurs under the guidance of an Adoption Covenant representative. Transportation and translators are provided while you are Kazakhstan.

After the bonding period, families petition the court for the final hearing. There is a mandatory 15 day appeal period after the court date. During this wait time, families have the choice to either return to the U.S. for approximately 2 to 3 weeks, or stay in Kazakhstan. Once the appeal period is over, the court issues its final decision and families can begin to gather the paperwork for the Exit Interview at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty.

Once the child's U.S. visa has been issued, the family can return home to the United States with their child.

Adoptive Parents

Single people and married couples may adopt. Couples should be married at least one three years. Previously divorced individuals may also adopt. Individual considerations can be discussed with your agency representative. Both parents are required to travel. Married couples and singles should be at least 25 years old.

Children in the Home

No limitation regarding children in the home.

Time Frame

The majority of parents are able to complete their adoption in 12 to 14 months. However, the timeframe for any adoption depends on several factors, including how quickly you are able to complete your paperwork and how fast you receive immigration approval.