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The time frame involved in adopting a child is comprised of many parts. Every adoption involves acquiring documents, filling out the forms, scheduling and writing of the home study, waiting for a child assignment, processing the documents. The adoption agency actually has control over only a few of these elements. The rest depends upon the adoptive parents and the government agencies involved. Also the time involved can change from one month to the next depending upon a variety of factors: government changes, the number of children needing families and the number of families who are currently in process to adopt. We estimate it will take up to 18 months from submission of dossier to country to placement of the child.
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Who can adopt from Kazakhstan?
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Married couples 30-50 years of age.
Kazakhstan has no requirement regarding the length of marriage or prior divorces but instead looks at the strength of the current marriage and relationship history. We recommend a minimum of 2 years of marriage. Families with up to 4 children at home and $30,000 minimum annual income.
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Can we choose to adopt either a boy or a girl?
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No, country officials have asked families to be open to a child of either gender.
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What is the profile of children to be adopted?
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Boys, girls-olders than 3 yrs. and sibling groups. Health conditions vary. Children may have mild correctable medical conditions. Even healthy children generally have experienced some malnutrition and developmental delay. Children are abandoned by their birth parents and brought by local authorities to the Orphanage care. These children remain under the guardianship of the Baby Home or Orphanage until time of adoption.
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How old are the children?
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Only accepting application from families seeking children older than 3 yrs. and siblings.
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How do the children come into care?
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Most of the children come into care after being abandoned, relinquished or the death of their parents.
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How are Families selected for children?
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When reviewing your dossier the Department of Education will consider the type of child you request in light of the children they have available for matching when they review your dossier. Your adoption application will indicate your requested age range, gender, and health preference. The Department of Education will then consider your family’s age, specific child request, and children available and will try to match you as closely to your request as possible. The Regional Court has final authority to grant an adoption.
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Where do children live while they are in Kazakhstan?
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Little children 0-4 years old live in baby homes.
Older children 4-18 years old live in orphanages or SOS villages.
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What kind of information is available about the children?
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Prior to the first trip an adoptive family will receive information about a child's gender, date of birth and medical condition if any.
During the trip all of a child's information will be disclosed to the family, which includes: medical, social and legal information. The adoptive family is allowed to take photos and videos of the child during the visitations.
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What kind of medical care do children receive?
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Children usually receive regular check-ups and vaccinations as needed. Acute care is provided at area hospitals.
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Do adoptive families travel to Kazakhstan to bring home their child?
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Yes, Kazakhstan adoption law requires that both spouses travel to
Kazakhstan
at least twice to meet their child, visit the child for 15 days and then attend adoption court hearing (both trips are approximately 3 weeks each). Families must also travel to Almaty to process the adoptive child’s
U.S. visa. Upon receiving of the U.S. entry visa each child must be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana. While you are in Kazakhstan, Holt's staff will assist you with all phases of your trip, from logistical arrangements to adoption processing.
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How do I arrange my adoption trip?
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Holt provides travel planning and support. Holt can recommend a travel agency who is experienced with adoption travel and understands the unique needs of adoptive parents. Our staff also facilitates arrangements overseas, including: transportation, hotel recommendations, reservations, setting appointments with child care agencies, and advice on related preparations for the trip. You are responsible for the round-trip tickets from your hometown to the region in Kazakhstan where you child resides. You will also need to buy a one way ticket for your child to travel from the region of child's residence to Almaty and then home.
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Can I adopt more than one child?
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Sibling groups are available for intercountry adoption. Holt does not support placing unrelated children at the same time.
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What kind of information do families receive during the adoption process?
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Families receive a Kazakhstan Program Adoption Instruction after their formal application has been submitted. Our Instruction walks families through each step of the adoption process. Holt staff is available by phone or e-mail for consultation and advice to help you complete your application and dossier properly, discuss travel, advise you about your referral, and explain post-placement requirements.
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