Earlier this year Kyrgyzstan's adoption authority, the Ministry of Social Development, authorized six U.S. accredited adoption agencies to provide adoption services in Kyrgyzstan in accordance with its new adoption service provider regulations. This authorization is the final step in reopening Kyrgyzstan to international adoptions.
These new procedures are part of Kyrgyzstan's efforts to develop procedures that are consistent with the standards practiced by the Hague Adoption Convention. Currently Kyrgyzstan is not a Hague country and all adoptions from there will be processed following the non-Hague Adoption Convention process. (I-600A and I-600)
Kyrgyzstan is a sovereign nation in Central Asia, just above China. Because of this central location between Russia and China children available for adoption may be Asian, fully Caucasian, or have mixed racial heritage. The primary reason for relinquishment is extreme poverty and family circumstances. Children waiting for adoption are housed in orphanages.
Sabrina Dickenson of World Links International Adoption Agency shared information on the children available for adoption from Kyrgyzstan,: "Children as young as 1-year-old and up may be adopted, singly or in sibling groups. Children with special needs and without special needs are hoping to find forever families. Both male and female children may be adopted."
The adoption timeline is relatively quick in Kyrgyzstan for both healthy and special needs adoptions. However, children with special needs (correctable medical conditions) are processed much quicker. Agencies will have the most up to date information on timeline as that can change as the program moves forward.
Three trips are required to adopt from Kyrgyzstan.
First Trip: Travel to Kyrgyzstan for the bonding period, about 10 days. After this, you will return home, and a court hearing will be scheduled for you in the meantime.
Second Trip: Approximately 6-7 weeks after the first trip, you will return for your second trip. You will travel to Kyrgyzstan for the court hearing. This second trip will last 3-5 business days. There is a mandatory waiting period of 30 days after the court hearing.
Third and Final Trip: Approximately 30-35 days after the court hearing, you will return for your third trip. You will stay in Kyrgyzstan for about 5-7 business days to complete the adoption paperwork. You will also visit the US Embassy to obtain the passport and visa for your adopted child.
Parent Qualifications to Adopt from Kyrgyzstan
- The program is currently open to single women or heterosexual married couples
- Parents must be at least 25 years old, at least 16 years older than the child and not over the age of 60.
- Minimum age range between child and either parent is not specific in the new law a will be decided case-by-case
- No serious or recent criminal record issues
- Must have reasonable good health
- At least one parent must be a U.S. Citizen
- Families with other children are welcome. Large families will be considered if financially secure.
RainbowKids Agencies Licensed to Place Children from Kyrgyzstan:
View All Country Guidelines for Adoption
