[montysmum]

We are finally paper ready but are having huge problems trying to find an agency. We live in Cyprus (EU). There are no children for adoption here so we have to look elsewhere and have decided on Eastern Europe. However, most agencies are based in the US and although hubby is a US citizen the fact that we want to bring the child back to Cyprus is causing all sorts of agency doors to close. Any one else not living in USA and able to proceed? A little bit of advice, encouragement would be appreciated?

Feel free to PM me with recommendations for agencies etc.

[ElsieC]

Hi, I'm living in slovakia and adopted from here. If Cyprus has signed the relevant Hague criteria you would be able to adopt from here. The relevant Slovak authority is the cipc - CIPC - (unfortuately it is not in English!!)

If you want me to find out for you what you need document wise etc please pm me with your details (nationalities especially) and I will get a slovak speaking friend to contact the central office here in bratislava.

[montysmum]

Thanks ElsieC for the quick reply. Cyprus is signatory to the Hague Convention. We heard that Slovakia took a long time with procedures and you had to live in the country for a fair bit of time. Pls let me know if I am misinformed.

We have considered Russia and Ukraine.

[ElsieC]

No, I don't think you have to live in country for any great period. I have seen that on a couple of sites and I think it has been a bad translation at some point which has then ended up being treated as 'truth'. I think that you are given what is known as pre-adoptive custody and then after approx. 9 months you have to return to Slovakia for the finalization of the adoption and that during that 9 month period you would be evaluated a couple of times by your local social workers. I think some sites have put out that you have to live in Slovakia during the pre-adoptive custody, but that is not the case.

I do know there are no agencies working here. You simply file your papers with the relevant department.

To give you an idea I was matched with my daughter after only 6 weeks on the waiting list. However my adoption is not considered international as I am resident here. However I was in contact with other people who adopted internationally from Slovakia and I know they felt it was a very smooth, trouble free and well organised process and I don't think they were too long waiting.

If you want I will get someone to phone the main office either tomorrow or Wednesday (my social worker is visiting tomorrow so may not have time to arrange a call - loads of cleaning to do! ) and pm you with the information. Please can you let me know your nationality as I am fairly sure they will want to know this.

[montysmum]

Gosh Thank you so much for your help. I am British and Cypriot and my husband is American and Greek (we have dual nationalities and citizenship). We are paper ready as far as the Laws of Cyprus are concerned as the Home Study HAD TO be completed by the Government Welfare Department here. We have had all the necessary medical test and psychiatric evaluations and we are financially comfortable.

I was under the impression that you had to live in Slovakia. The websites are misleading. If you can recommend any facilitators or lawyers or translators that can assist I would greatly appreciate it.

The adoption road is a stressful and time consuming process with little guidance if you live abroad. After 5 years of fertility problems all you want is a break and a chance to be a parent and give the best you can to a child. Congratulations on the adoption of your little girl. There is hope for us all.

[ElsieC]

Have sent you a pm and my email address. Will call CIPC as soon as possible - now back to the cleaning!!

[montysmum]

And I have replied which I hope you received.

Thank you

[jeanc]

Hi Elsie c

I am a single adopter living in the UK who has been trying to adopt domestically for some years although approved in 2002 not had a match and now loking at international adoption.

I wonder if Slovakia take single adopters and whether there is an upper age limit - any contact/information that you have I would be grateful for.

Thank you

Jeanc

[jeanc]

I am a single adopter wanting to adopt from Eastern europe - Kazakstan has been aprticulararly mentioned as a posibility - as I am older and resident in the UK

Any advice woudl be very welcome - have you done it? How long did it take? any receommendations for agencies/people in Kazakstan/Russia

Thank you

[ElsieC]

Hi Jeanc

Like you I am single. I am 37 and it was not a problem. I don't think the Slovak authorities are too strict on age.

As I understand the process what you need to do to adopt from Slovakia when living in the UK is get your approval/home study etc from either your local authority or a private adoption agency (I believe there are a few operating in England) and do all the required programs which are part of the Hague agreement (psychological evaluation/parenting stuff etc). Unlike a domestic adoption you need to pay in the Uk for the homestudy etc for international adoption.

Once approved you apply to the Slovak authorities through one of the Hague approved organisations in the UK ( I think this is the link: HCCH | Authorities) rather than submitting your documents directly to Bratislava.

My Slovak language skills are dreadful (!) and the cipc web site language is too complicated for me. I am asking a friend to translate the info on required documents etc and will post it as soon as she can get the time.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more information and good luck.

[jeanc]

Thank you, that's really helpful - I am going to pursue this.

Be in touch soon.

Jeanc

[ElsieC]

Montysmum/jeanc

Not forgotten about the translation. Asked my friend about it on Friday (had expected it a couple of weeks ago). She has been working on it, but has been snowed under at work: she is also a teacher and it is reports/parents nights etc just now. Also she had some other translation work to do which took priority as it was paying work. Sorry for the delay. Hope you are both well!