Kazakhstan Adoption

It has been way to long since I touched base with you on adoption from Kazakhstan. I wish I had information of great changes but that is not the case. At this point, Kazakhstan is not in an adoption relationship with the United States as they are seeking Hague Convention status and have not completed the agreement portion with the US. They are processing the remaining adoption cases that were grandfathered in from the previous adoption relationship. So in 2011 there were 86 adoptions completed between Kazakhstan and the US. As these older cases are completed this number will dwindle unless this adoption relationship re-opens in the near future. Many of you are probably wondering what needs to be done in order for… [more]

The adoption program in Kazakhstan continues to be on hold awaiting its Hague Convention status. This process seems to drag on and on. Yet, other countries who were working toward the same status are re-opening. They have to finish all of the qualification paperwork and are anticipating the restart of the adoptions under the Hague Convention. For that reason, it is obvious that Kazakhstan will get there. I know that waiting for that to occur can get frustrating and long though. If you are awaiting the 'good news," consider researching all information regarding this country, its adoption program and others who have completed adoptions prior to its re-opening. There are many people who have been through the process and come out on the other… [more]

It seems as though a change has been on the horizon for a number of months in regard to adoption from Kazakhstan. Yet, nothing has surfaced about that prospective change being a reality. For those of you who are just joining us, Kazakhstan is in the process of ratifying itself to Hague Convention statutes. This ratification is not an easy process- so a timeframe is not possible but there have been many releases stating that this country is going to re-open in the near future. These releases gave us hope. I do believe that Kazakhstan is close to re-opening its adoption program with the United States. In order to re-open though, it has to reach a suitable agreement with both parties. With the… [more]

As with the rest of you, I continue to watch Kazakhstan adoption knowing that there will be a change in their adoption status. Unfortunately, that change has not occurred. The last published information showed that Kazakhstan, though party to the Hague Convention, was not fully certified and would continue to work toward becoming a valid adoption partner with the United States. Kazakhstan has had a long-standing adoption relationship with the United States completing over 840 adoptions in 2003. That has fallen to 181 in 2010. It would come as no surprise to see the adoption relationship rebound with this country and the higher numbers begin to surface again. This will take time to rebuild though.  Kazakhstan has been processing their adoption requirements for a fairly large number… [more]

I do not know about the rest of you but I wait (impatiently at best) for news that Kazakhstan adoption has re-opened. This has not occurred yet and seems not to be on the horizon. Kazakhstan is currently closed in order to facilitate its Hague Convention partnership status with the United States. While it does not appear that anything is happening- I believe that it is. In a world where there are presently [approximately] 153 million orphans, protection of children and adoption programs should be applauded. That is what the Hague Convention offers. It is a way that all countries involved in a adoption relationship can have a say in the care and keeping of the children who are orphaned and looking for… [more]

Kazakhstan adoption continues to be on hold. As of now, I do not know whether this country is matching any of their children. I was asked about that question back in July and cannot find any information that supports this. All of my sources state that Kazakhstan is not using intercountry adoption as a source "of permanency" at this time. I am not certain when or if this country will re-open its program to allow for these adoptions to start in the near future. I see no leaning in that direction. Though, I know that they are working to fulfill their Hague Convention certification and become a partner with other countries. This is a huge legal process that requires both countries to be… [more]

I wish with all of my heart that I had a real update for you regarding Kazakhstan adoption. I do not. I have been off for the last six weeks do to injury and really hoped that the delay would allow time for this country to have done some activity to report. It has not. I have been discussing adoption from Kazakhstan with a Spanish couple who had their dossier returned to Spain do to the changes and updates. Check out our discussion under the comments from Continue to Watch Kazakhstan. One of the comments they made was that a new bill passed part of the legal requirements on June, 2011. I have not been able to locate whether the other half of… [more]

The last movement in relation to adoption from the country of Kazakhstan appears to have been in January 2011. The only information I have located on that activity was that at the point, Kazakhstan planned to match dossiers of families already in the program. Unfortunately, I cannot locate whether this has occurred. Kazakhstan continues to work toward re-opening their adoption relationship by creating an agreement that is acceptable to its adoption partners. This is an arduous process that can seem as though it is not moving in any direction, much less forward. When the agreement is in place and approved, the long-standing adoption relationship will continue and the prospective adoption parents can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The waiting game is the hardest… [more]

It is a shame that I have no new information for you regarding adoption from Kazakhstan at this time. I know that there are so many of you waiting for news. I think that we are in the 'waiting and watching phase," if you will. In this phase, you the prospective adoptive parent scour all news sources and written material hoping for information on the much desired re-opening and Kazakhstan, I would assume, works tirelessly behind closed doors to meet the requirements and regulations that must be in place. Kazakhstan was slated for re-opening in March of 2011 but has not begun to accept new families/dossiers yet. This is a difficult place to be. For those of you who are waiting, the desired… [more]

"Recognizing that the child...should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding."  Hague Adoption Convention, Preamble I began this post with a portion of the text from the Hague Preamble to remind those of us who are waiting for news from this country exactly why we are waiting. Waiting is difficult and sometimes does not make sense. We cannot see all of the facets that are happening behind closed doors and are thus left with part of a story and an inadequate understanding. Kazakhstan adoption has been suspended from receiving new dossiers since May 2010. It has been working on joining the Hague Convention in order to better regulate its adoption program and thus provide a better… [more]