Uzbekistan is one of the lesser known
countries that were once a part of the former Soviet Union. It is a
fascinating country, with centuries-old history and culture that
could not be eradicated even by decades of communist regime. It is
not surprising, therefore, that Uzbekistan's orphanage system
similar to that of Russia or other former republics, but adoptions
are ultimately decided by mayor offices, the closest thing to
elders' council. There have been very few adoptions from Uzbekistan
so far, but growing relationship with the West slowly broadens the
doors of international adoption in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked
country of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. Uzbekistan
is the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of
gold and oil, and a producer of chemicals and machinery. The change
from a communist government to a capitalist nation has brought
change in the social and economic life for the people of Uzbekistan.
There is much evidence today of Uzbekistan's struggle to adapt to a
new social order.
Most Uzbekistanis live in densely
populated rural communities. There is much evidence of pride in
Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage. Tashkent, the capital, is
Central Asia's premier metropolis. It is a modern city of 2.1
million people where the metro is the most convenient way to
traverse the city. Its 2,000 year history as a crossroads connecting
Europe and China is responsible for monumental architecture, fine
museums and sculptures. Old Tashkent is the famous part of the city
as it dates back to the 15th century.
Why Choose to Adopt
in Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan adoptions are new for the
U.S. and Uzbekistan. We recognize additional risks and volatility
associated with this new program, but hope this program might be a
good fit for families who are able to recognize and manage these
risks. There are many children in dire need of a family in
Uzbekistan. The majority of children are abandoned at birth by their
mothers. In the Uzbekistan culture, alcohol and drug usage are not
socially acceptable. Incidences of fetal alcohol syndrome and drug
related problem are rare, as well as HIV and Hepatitis C. Children
available for adoption are generally healthy. Orphanage physicians
carefully select all children for referral to families. The
selection is based on current evaluation of the child's health and
development. Typical orphanage delays are expected for
institutionalized children.
All children available for adoption
from Uzbekistan are tested for HIV, Hepatitis A and B, Tuberculosis,
and Syphilis prior to adoption. History of inoculations is also
provided, when available.
Who Can Adopt From Uzbekistan? Individuals (single woman) and
couples may adopt from Uzbekistan. Couples must be married at least
1 year. Divorce is acceptable. Other children in the family are
acceptable. There are no age restrictions for adoptive parents,
other than they must be no older than 45 years older than the child,
although this can be flexible by region. Eligible applicants can
request specific ages and gender of children they wish to adopt.
After review and translation the dossier will be submitted to the
Uzbekistan government for adoption approval. On average, adoption
from Uzbekistan take approximately from 6 - 9 months, depending on
how quickly families can prepare their dossiers. Typically, it takes
3-4 months for dossier preparation. Only one short trip is required.
Children available
for adoption Children who are available for
adoption by foreigners range from approximately 5-6 months to 14
years of age. There is no national or international adoption
registry in Uzbekistan, and children typically become available for
adoption/referral once they are admitted to the orphanage at about
1-2 months old, and could be as young as 4-5 months at the time
adoption is finalized.
Most
children are of Uzbek descent, with olive skin and slightly Asian
features. Uzbekistan represents a variety of ethnic groups,
including Uzbek, Russian, Ukrainian, German (all Caucasian races),
Kazakh (Mongol race), and Tatar. There are many Slavic and Mongol
children as well, making for a very diverse population. All siblings
are legally separated when they are admitted to the orphanage, so
two children can be adopted simultaneously only when their adoptions
are treated totally separately (i.e. a family would prepare and
authenticate a separate dossier for each child) All children offered
for adoption live in government-supervised orphanages. Adoptive
families may choose the age and gender of the child they wish to
adopt. There are a large number of children between the ages of 1
and 6 years. The majority of available infants have been abandoned
at birth by their birth mothers.
Adoption Process
and Travel The adoption process abroad is
constantly evolving. Because it is a new program, we can give only
approximate estimates of how long it is going to take from
Uzbekistan. At the moment, we estimate it to take from 4 to 6 months
to complete an adoption after the dossier is submitted. We will
provide adoptive parents with a current time estimate for adoptive
child referral and placement.
The time from when the family accepts
their referral until travel varies from approximately 3 to 6 months.
First the family receives pictures and a medical report of the
child. If the family is interested in this referral, they begin to
prepare the dossier. The legalization process of the documents for
adoption in the U.S. takes about two to three weeks. Once dossier is
completed, it is first authenticated in the Uzbekistan Embassy in
USA and then mailed to Uzbekistan. There, it is translated into
Russian, authenticated and delivered to Ministry of Education. Once
the dossier is submitted to the Ministry of Education of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, the adoptive parents are scheduled for
travel within 3-4 months.
There are two adoption authorities in
Uzbekistan. First, all dossiers are processed centrally by the
Ministry of Education. Next, they are forwarded to the local
Guardianship and Trusteeship Office (GTO) affiliated with a Mayor's
office in the town of adoption, called Hokimat. The Mayor, or Hokim,
is responsible for making the final decision on adoption, much like
a judge in other countries.
After dossier is processed and
registered, Minister of Education forwards it to the GTO in the town
of the referred child. GTO makes a recommendation to the Mayor to
approve the adoption, and Mayor's signature irrevocably finalize the
adoption. There is no waiting "appeal" period and parents receive
custody of their child once Mayor's signature is obtained. After the
Mayor signs the documents, a child can remain in the orphanage
waiting for parents. Only one of the parents needs to travel to
Tashkent after the Mayor's signature is obtained and all the
documents are prepared just to go through U.S. Embassy exit
interview and obtain a child's immigration visa. Such adoptions are
not considered to be finalized (children don't automatically become
U.S. citizens, and re-adoption must be done in USA). Immigrant visas
issued to children in such adoptions are called IR-4. The family travels to meet with the
child after the Mayor of the city or region where the accepted child
is located approves the adoption, birth certificate and adoption
notice (in Uzbekistan there are no adoption certificates), and an
Uzbek passport is issued for the child.
The family
stays approximately 2-3 days in Tashkent and in the Mayor region,
during which time they will visit the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent to
file Form I-604. Next they will travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to
receive the immigrant visa for their child. The stay in Almaty is
approximately 4 days, depending on the working hours of the U.S.
Embassy. On the first day the family must complete the medical
review for the U.S. Embassy. On the second day, they submit the
documents to the Embassy, and on the following day they have their
exit interview for the child's immigration visa. After receiving
this visa, you will return home to the U.S.
Post-Placement
Reports Your child's adoption is finalized in
Uzbekistan, but Uzbekistan requires post-placement reports and
photos of your child over a period of time. The number of reports
and frequency may change, but currently there are four reports
required, at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after the
adoption is finalized.
To Begin the
Process 1. Send the application to Adoption
Avenues
2. Complete your Home Study
3. File your I-600A with the U.S. INS. We will assist you with this
process.
4. The referral is being received. We are working closely with the
Uzbekistan facilitators throughout the process. After the referral
is received and accepted, the Uzbekistan adoption process begins. At
that time you prepare your dossier and our agency will forward your
dossier documents to the Uzbekistan facilitators for translation and
submission to the Uzbekistan court. This process can take 4 to 6
months and is dependent on the court system of Uzbekistan.
5. You will be scheduled to travel to Uzbekistan to meet your child
approximately 3 - 4 months after submission of your dossier
documents and you will meet your child after the adoption has been
finalized in Uzbekistan. You will return home after about a 6-8 days
stay. During this stay you will travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan to
apply for your child's immigrant visa with the U.S. Embassy.
6. Your stay in Uzbekistan will be 6-8 days. This is a very valuable
time to learn about the country, people and culture of your child's
birth.
NOTES: 1. Families must arrange their
international flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and from
Almaty, Kazakhstan.
2. The trip in Tashkent is estimated for a total of 2-3 days stay.
3. The trip from Tashkent to Almaty is estimated for a total of 4-5
days stay.
4. Total length of the adoption trip is 6-8 days.
PLEASE NOTE:
Starting June 5, 2006, the U.S.
Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan is processing immigrant visas for
all Uzbek citizens, including orphans (so no more travel to Almaty
is necessary). More details about immigrant visa processing
requirements can be found on the U.S. Embassy website at
http://uzbekistan.usembassy.gov.
Dossier Documents Required
Home Study
Criminal Record Check
Medical Report of adopting parents
Post-placement agreement
Letters of recommendation
Copy of I-171-H (the Immigration Approval)
Employment verification for adopting parents
Proof of Home Ownership
Family Photos
Birth Certificate of adopting parent (if single)
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Decree if applicable
Death Certificate if applicable
Copy of passport
Financial statement
Power of Attorney
Letter of Request to Adopt
For more information on the Uzbekistan program please feel free to
call us at 503 977 2870 or e-mail us at
info@adoptionavenues.org
