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TravelTwo trips to Russia are usually required of adoptive families. Activities duringboth trips in Russia will be guided by our Russian staff members who areexperienced in the adoption process. They will greet you upon arrival, take careof travel details and lodging, and assist you in every way that they can. They willmake the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanage,scheduling court hearings, and obtaining the paperwork needed to completeyour adoption.The first trip occurs within a few weeks after your acceptance of the referredchild presented to you. During this first trip, you will travel to the orphanage andvisit with the child. If you wish to move forward with adopting the child, you willthen need to make a second trip to Russia between one to three months later inorder to legally finalize the adoption. Because an appearance before the court isrequired to finalize the adoption, both parents are required to travel.While timeframes for adoption vary greatly, you should expect to waitsignificantly longer for a girl.Learn MoreFor more information about our Russia program, please call (847) 475-5800 andask to speak with Marc Arneson, our adoptive parent intake coordinator. Youmay also feel free to email us at CradleRussia@cradle.org.Reading SuggestionsAdopting in Russia: Your Rights and the Lawby Irina Mikhailovna O’RearAre Those Kids Yours?by Cheri RegisterAdopting After Infertilityby Patricia Irwin JohnstonAdopting on Your Own: The Complete Guideto Adopting for Single Parentsby Lee VaronAdopting a Toddler: What Size ShoesDoes She Wear?by Denise H. HoppenhauerWebsite: Children of Eastern EuropeanRegionswww.cheerchicago.orgWebsite: Adoptions from Russia: RussianAdoption Medical Serviceswww.russianadoption.orgRussia Adoption Quick Reference GuideThe ChildrenAge9 months and olderParent RequirementsAge Under 55,Under 45 for singlewomenMarriageAt least one yearEstimated Process TimelineFrom dossier to child referral 3-12 monthsFrom child referral to2-4 monthsplacementTravel2 trips, 10-15 daysCostsRussian Application $500Cradle Home Study $3,500Agency Program Fee $4,000Dossier Fee $600*Foreign Fee $18,000**Total Fixed Costs $26,600* Illinois families only. The fee is $300 for out-of-state families.** $5,000 of “Foreign Fee” due at time of dossier submission. Balance due at acceptance of referral, prior to travel. Fee includes all costs forservices in Russia (i.e., legal, court processing and government registration fees; orphanage donation; interpreters and translations; support ofThe Cradle’s Moscow staff to arrange your trips and process adoption paperwork; post-placement translations and filing, etc.), except as notedabove. This fee may be reduced for an older child (reduction confirmed at time of referral). The foreign fee is due at acceptance of referral. Feeincludes travel in Russia (ground and air, if necessary) and hotels in regions. Some fees are refundable if an adoption is not completed.*** Other expenses include: air transportation to and from Russia, US CIS fee, Moscow hotel stay, meals, parents’ and child’s visa, andmedical exam.