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Adoption From Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Fast Facts:

  • 2009 adoptions: 396 children
  • Age/Gender: 56% Female, 35% under 1 year of age, 53% 1 to 4 years of age in 2008.
  • Estimated Total Cost: $35,000+
  • Profile: Generally, 6 months to 3 years. 53% of children adopted in 2008 were between 1 and 4 years old; 35% were under 1 year old.
  • Parent Ages: There are no age requirements other than that an unmarried parent must be at least 16 years older than the child to be adopted. Parents over 60 have found it difficult to adopt.
  • Family Status: Both singles and married couples may adopt in Kazakhstan.
  • Travel: 30 to 45 days in country required. May be broken into two trips. Kazakhstani law requires that prospective parents have at least 14 days personal contact with a child, in the child’s town, before submitting an adoption application to the court.
  • Timeline: From completed dossier to referral, about 4 to 9 months.

Kazakhstan Adoption Directory

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Kazakhstan is located south of Russia in Central Asia, northwest of China. The breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to sharp economic declines in Kazakhstan, which contributed to the large number of children abandoned and living in orphanages. Although the economy has improved in recent years, due to economic reform and foreign investment, the number of children living in institutions has grown. Over 4,000 Kazakh children have been adopted by families in the U.S. since 1997.

The people include a mix of native Kazakhs and the Russians who have migrated there since Russia conquered the area in the 18th century. Children available for adoption are usually of Russian and/or Asian background. The Kazakhstani government requires adopting parents to spend at least two weeks visiting a child in his or her residence city before applying for adoption. Kazakhstani law also provides for a 15-day waiting period after the court hearing before the adoption becomes final. Parents must complete yearly post-placement reports until the child is 18. Kazakhstan is not a member of the Hague Adoption Convention.

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