Processing Time

Application through final adoption is approximately 18-24 months, depending upon the family’s child request. Please note this is a new program, and estimating timeframe is quite difficult. As more adoptions happen from Kyrgyzstan, this timeframe estimate will be adjusted.

Children Available

Children 24 months to 15 years are available. It is possible a child under 24 months of age will be available for adoption. There are children with medical needs available for adoption. Most children available and waiting are over the age of 5 years. Families desiring to adopt children from age 12 to 36 months should expect to wait an extended amount of time compared to families adopting children over the age of 36 months. The children available for adoption are of Kyrgyz, Russian, and/or Asian descent. Families are not permitted to request ethnic descent or skin color when requesting a child. Sibling groups are available.

Child Request

The minimum child request is 24 months and families must be approved by their social worker for this age range.

Health of Children

Children who are healthy or have medical needs are available for adoption. Due to institutionalization, children who are considered healthy may have health-related concerns. Families are encouraged to arrange consultation with a medical adoption specialist when they receive a referral. Medical needs range from minor, medically correctable medical needs, to moderate and severe special needs.

Parents' Ages

Prospective parents can be no less than 16 years older than the child(ren) at the time of adoption. Prospective adoptive parents should be less than 60 years of age at the time their adoption is finalized in Kyrgyzstan.

Marriage Status

Kyrgyzstan accepts married heterosexual couples, as well as single, heterosexual women, to apply at this time.

Divorce

Permitted (maximum of two per spouse).

Medical History

No history of major mental health treatment or diagnosis permitted. No history of cancer permitted. No significant chronic illnesses are permitted. All other moderate to severe conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Children in Family

There are no restrictions on the number of children in a family, though families will have to show that they have the financial resources to care for all the children in their care.

Income

Families must be able to show they can adequately provide financially for their children. A family’s income and full financial status will be evaluated as part of the adoption process. Income must be a minimum of 125% above U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

Criminal History

Criminal and CPS background checks are required to be eligible for adoption from Kyrgyzstan. Families with a criminal background involving violence, crimes against children, or other serious offenses will not be eligible to adopt from Kyrgyzstan.

Travel to Country

Both parents must travel for the first trip. Only one parent is required to travel for the second and third trip. Travel will include going to the region of the prospective adopted child. On the third trip, families will travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan to work with the U.S. Consulate to process the child(ren)’s visa. The first trip will be approximately 2 weeks in duration and include a 10 day bonding period during which both parents must be present. Visitations between parents and child(ren) will be arranged by in-country staff. The second trip will be for Court and will be a relatively short trip. One or both parents will return for the third trip to receive the child and process the child’s visa with the US Embassy in Almaty.