Overview
In May of 2014, Kyrgyzstan announced the re-opening of it's intercountry Adoption Program to the USA. There are specific adoption agencies that are accredited to work with this country, and families must use one of these agencies. Landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is a country in Central Asia bordered by China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Children Available for Adoption from Kyrgyzstan:
- Babies age 6-36 months and children up to 15 years. Prospective parents hoping to adopt babies must be prepared and approved for the adoption of children from 6-36 months of age at the time of referral.
- As the program begins, families may specify a gender preference. As the program proceeds, we may need to re-evaluate this possibility.
- Children are on a national database while a family is sought within Kyrgyzstan and are then released for international adoption.
- Biological siblings are sometimes identified for referral, but it is rare.
- Under unusual circumstances, it may be possible to adopt two unrelated children.
- Basic information on the children is available before travel. Full information is received during travel. Parents may request evaluations in Kyrgyzstan at their own expense.
Parent Qualifications:
- The program is currently open to single women or heterosexual married couples under Kyrgyz law.
- Parents must be at least 25 years old, at least 16 years older than the child and not over age 60. The maximum age range between child and either parent is not specified in the new law and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
- No serious or recent criminal record issues.
- Must enjoy reasonable good health.
- At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen and that parent must be the petitioner on the I-800A application.
- Families with other children are welcome. Large families will be considered if financially secure.
Travel:
- Both parents must travel for the first trip which will be about two weeks. During this time, you will visit the orphanage for a bonding period with the child.
- Return to the U.S. for about one month.
- One parent (or both) may travel for the court hearing which is a trip of about 5 business days.
- Return to the U.S. for about five weeks while the court decision becomes final in 30 days and about seven more days are needed for preparation of the child's documents and passport.
- One or both parents may travel for a third time for U.S. embassy visa processing and to bring your child home. It may be possible to combine trips as we learn the new procedures but parents should be prepared for three trips at this time.
Timeline: From dossier submission to bringing your child home is estimated at under 12-months
Tips: To get started, use the link below to contact all agencies working in Kyrgyzstan. Receiving feedback about agencies from an online discussion group is always helpful as well. Finally, when you bring your child home, be sure and send your story to RainbowKids. We love hearing from proud new families!
Kyrgyzstan Adoption Resources
Agencies Working With Kyrgyzstan Adoption
International Adoption Agency
International Adoption Agency
