[loonerone]

I saw an 11 year old girl photolisted on Adoption Ark - after reading many of these posts, I see that this photolisting is illegal - so can I truly adopt this particular girl or not - or could I risk giving up considerable money and then not getting her - PLUS - there was not much good here about Adoption Ark. Could I go locally and adopt this girl, or must I use Adoption Ark if they are photolisting her? I was excited, but wanted to come here to get some reality - thank you for that! Information, insights, advice would be most welcome.

[Annette2004]

Hi!
I'm not sure about that.I ran into the same problem once.It wasn't for international adoption.
But we saw this cute little 1 1/2 year old girl.She was African American and is with the State of Missouri,but when we tried to call to get more info on her there was nobody there to help us out.We left a message but nobody called back.
If you don't feel comfortable about the idea i wouldn't waste my money on it.
Find out with the Better Business Bureau if they actually exsist and if thei have a license.Because if they don't they should be reported.Always do that first before you consider choosing an agency.
And talk to them and ask a lot of questions.We experienced so far both positive and negative answers.
If you want to Email me:
annette_menard@yahoo.com

[JuliannaTeresa]

You have the advantage of she is older, and would probably still be there, but Kazakhstan Government requires that you go In-Country to make the Referral. The Photolisting is illegal!

Going Independently, Adoptions are taking a year or longer to be processed. She would probably be 12 or 13 before she came home! Someone else can choose her also! There are many many different regions of Kazakhstan and Independently would probably require extensive travel! The Adoption Laws are rapidly changing!

Besides the extensive travel part. The Incountry stay, and if married both Parents must attend is ranging from 7-12 weeks!

[PattyR]

While photolistings are illegal per Kaz law, I have found it is not that unusual for agencies to do this. In cases of older children, I think most agencies are legitimately trying to help them find homes. Do research about the agency and speak to tons of references who have recently completed adoptions through them in Kaz.

If you decide you want to pursue adopting this child, you really should be prepared for the possibility that she could be adopted before you get to Kaz. You have several months of paperwork and processing before you you can travel and if someone else arrives first they would be allowed to adopt her. Kaz law does not allow them to "hold" this child for you. That being said, since she is an older child, it may be unlikely this would happen----but you should still be prepared for the possibility.

There are many good agencies that work in Kaz and many beautiful children available for adoption. Even if you decide not to pursue adopting this child, you might want to go ahead and do your research on Kaz. In-country stays vary a lot based on the region you are traveling too. While there are no guarantees that the post court wait will be waived, it is still possible to complete an adoption in a little over 3 weeks in several regions.

Good luck to you!

Patty

[allielizzie]

I think that countries do have exeptions to the photolisting. I believe that some countries forbid photolistings exept in cases of special needs, and older children.
Just for the record, we adopted two children from Russia, both of which we found on a photolisting.

[JuliannaTeresa]

Allie;

How did you get around the question about Photolistings when asked about it as part of contact before arriving In-Country?

[Julia66cb]

I too also fell in love with a little 9 month old little girl from the photo listing page and it had her listed as from Mongolia.When I called about her, I was told that she was from Kaz and was still available and that whenever all the paperwork(application) was filled out and checked, they take the child off the photolisting and she is put on hold for us. I am a little leary about this and looking elsewhere. this is how they probably get around it.

[JuliannaTeresa]

I have a acquaintance ahead of me in the process who went the signed paperwork and child was put on hold route.

She and her husband are having to start the In-Country stay over a second time!

They are not receiving their Invitation to Travel by Ministry of Education, and have also sent a marod of letters and presents at Christmas to the Child!

[PattyR]

Kaz law requires no contact or referrals before being in-country. It is my understanding that you would have to "stretch the truth" (e.g. lie) when answering this type of question during court. I personally think that it would be much easier (and more advisable) to just follow the rules.

That being said, I do think there are good agencies (although it is becoming more rare) that offer "referrals." While the idea of choosing a child in-country may seem overwhelming, there are actually many advantages. I would encourage you to speak with agencies that provide this type of adoption from Kaz. After all, it will make your adoption meet the law and will probably make for a smoother process in the long run.

Don't worry----you will end up with the child you are meant to have!

Patty