Adopting from Kazakhstan


WACAP opened an adoption program in the Republic of Kazakhstan in early 2006. International adoption is not new in this country, but WACAP has not worked there previously. Therefore we consider it a pioneer program.

As WACAP begins work in new countries, we look for adoptive families who are willing to be “pioneers” as we learn about procedures, timeframes, travel, etc. There are many unknowns involved in a new program, and pioneer families must be flexible and open-minded regarding an adoption process that no WACAP family has experienced before. However, being a pioneer family can also be an exciting and rewarding way to expand your family through adoption.

Children Who Need Families
Babies and children up to 15 years old in Kazakhstan need families. They represent a variety of ethnicities, including Asian, Eurasian and Caucasian. Children are first referred for domestic adoption inside Kazakhstan. After six months they can be referred for international adoption. So a child referred to WACAP will be at least 6 months old. Children generally come to an orphanage because they were abandoned in a maternity hospital or were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Children who have lived in institutions often demonstrate developmental and growth delays.

In Kazakhstan, child information is considered confidential, and prospective parents must travel there to review the information in person. Upon arrival in Kazakhstan, you’ll receive written information and photos of a child, which we recommend you share with an experienced international adoption medical specialist. Once you’re ready to seriously consider the child, you may meet the child.

Adoption Requirements
Parents interested in entering our pioneer program in Kazakhstan should be open to Asian, Caucasian, or Eurasian children, as well as very flexible and comfortable with uncertainty. Parents should be open to considering a child of either gender up to 18 months old.

Parents are approved by the Kazakhstan government’s Department of Education and Science. Eligibility requirements may vary and are based on the child’s needs and best interests. Married couples and single women are welcome. For young children, authorities prefer a maximum age difference of 48 years between mother and child. Requirements tend to be more flexible for placing older children or those with special needs.

Parents must meet Kazakhstan medical requirements, which include being free of infectious disease and severe medical conditions. Final approval of each adoption rests with the regional court judge.

Travel Requirements
Parents must travel to Kazakhstan for either one trip of six to seven weeks or two trips consisting of a three- to four-week trip and a second one-week trip.

The first trip includes a 14-day “bonding period” in which the family visits the child daily, followed by an adoption court hearing. The second trip occurs following a 15-day “appeal period,” at which time the family receives adoption documentation and obtains the child’s U.S. visa.

Required Documents
  • Approved homestudy
  • Certified marriage certificates
  • Certified divorce decree (if applicable)
  • Certified birth certificate (single applicants only)
  • USCIS immigration approval notice
  • Current passport for each parent
  • Kazakhstan-specific medical report
  • Kazakhstan-specific employment letter
  • Kazakhstan-specific residence letter
  • Kazakhstan-specific fingerprint check
  • Kazakhstan-specific financial statement
  • Kazakhstan-specific bank letter
  • Other Kazakhstan-specific agreements

Waiting Time
4–9 months after registration of the dossier (estimated)

Estimated Costs (effective Jan. 1, 2008)
Cost
Amount
Paid
Homestudy
Varies by agency. WACAP conducts homestudies in WA, OR and AK for $1,500, and in NY and CT for $1,800.
Prior to completion of homestudy
WACAP application fee
$250
With WACAP application
USCIS I-600A
$670 + $80 each adult
With I-600A application; paid to USCIS
WACAP initial adoption processing
$6,500
At homestudy approval
WACAP second adoption processing
$7,300
6 months after homestudy approval or at child referral (whichever comes first)
WACAP final adoption processing
$8,200
At child acceptance; includes required orphanage donation
Child-specific expenses or fees
$500 (est.)
At child acceptance
WACAP postplacement visit fee
(This fee applies if WACAP is doing your postplacement visits. Postplacement fee varies by agency.)
$1,200 (4 home visits required, at $300 per visit)
At child acceptance
WACAP postplacement deposit
$500
At child acceptance
Associated Costs
Flight to/from Kazakhstan, and between cities if needed
Varies
Prior to travel, paid to travel agent
One-way airfare for child
$610+ per child
Prior to travel, paid to travel agent
Hotel and food
Varies; $50–200+ per person, per day
In Kazakhstan
Other Adoption-Related Fees
Finalization in United States
(Amount varies by state and attorney)
$500–1,500 or more
After returning to the United States; paid to attorney
Child's passport
$80 (approx.)
In Kazakhstan
Child's U.S. visa photos/medical
$90–100 (approx.)
In Almaty, per child
Child's visa processing fee
$400
In Almaty, to the U.S. Consulate
Additional child visa processing fee
$400 for related siblings
In Almaty, to the U.S. Consulate
MID registration
$84
In Astana, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Are finances a barrier to adoption? U.S. families may receive a tax credit of up to $11,650 when they adopt a child. Find out about this and other sources of financial assistance.

Additional Resources
In this article from Adoption Today, Kim Bernstein discusses the pros and cons of adopting from Kazakhstan.

Getting Started
Thinking about adopting a child from Kazakhstan? Hundreds of children there need loving adoptive parents. us for more information. Or download an application form. (You will need Adobe Reader to download the application. Please click on the link below to download this free software from Adobe.)

Every adoption is different. During the adoption process, you may be asked to supply more documents, comply with new policies or meet other requirements. Our staff will always do their best to keep you informed. See our Kazakhstan adoption FAQ for further details.