DOS Adoption Notice: Russia, Change in Family Code

Notice: Processing Time for Adoptions Increased

On January 1, 2012, the Russian Family Code was amended so that presiding judges will announce decisions in cases, including intercountry adoption cases, at the end of in-person court hearings. Courts will issue written rulings five days later. In cases where the ruling leads to an adoption decree, that decree goes into effect thirty days after issuance, at which point adopting parents can apply in person for the child’s Russian passport. These changes will increase the amount of time and, possibly, travel required to complete an adoption.

People for Ethical Adoption Reform
www.pear-now.org