[sandy72161]

My husband and I are trying to adopt older children in the states but aren't having too much luck. We have thought about adopting in Kazakhstan. Can anyone give me an estimate of what it may cost to adopt two children ages infant to age 7?
Thanks.

[ColoPetersons]

We recently inquired about two children, age 13 and almost 12 and were quoted $19,000. That does not include homestudy, INS fees and fees for notorizing and apostilling documents for the dossier. It also does not include travel which appears to be quite high. I believe the cost varies by agency.

[cr4cr]

First of all you need to understand that adopting more than one child from Kazakhstan at the same time is prohibited unless they are related. The cost ranges from $23,000 - $30,000. Some of the variables include air travel, hotel accomodations and whether you stay in country a full month or make two trips. Agency fees in the $15,000 - $19,000 range are common. Also, the state in which you live makes a huge difference as it pertains to the cost of home study. Some states offer home study for under $1,000, others as much as $4500. If you live in Illinois, count on $3500 as an average. Also, the agency you choose is paramount to a good experience. Do your homework and choose wisely. Hope this helps.

[gtefigel]

Some regions DO allow you to adopt unrelated children.

[cr4cr]

Really? I wasn't aware of that. Which regions are these? I was under the impression that this was not allowed at all. Do there have to be extenuating circumstances like disabillities? I truly was not aware of the ability to adopt two healthy unrelated children at the same time.

[gtefigel]

We are adopting two unrelated children from Almaty. From the other forums I read, it sounds as if many families have adopted two at the same time. With the high costs of travel and the lengthy stay in country, it almost makes sense to adopt two at once if you know that two is what you eventually want. That was part of our motivation anyway.

[ColoPetersons]

What ages are you looking to adopt? I've learned that "older children" can mean anything over 3 years old. Anyone looking at children over 10 years old like us? The two we are considering are a brother and sister. I'd really like to correspond with a family who has adopted in the pre-teen years.

Thanks!

[gtefigel]

There are two groups on yahoo that are invaluable, one for Kazakhstan and one for Almaty. I suggest you try those. They have more personal accounts and more frequent posts.

[ColoPetersons]

Thanks Ellen! I've requested access to the Yahoo groups but haven't been granted access yet. Their moderator must be on vacation.

Wendy

[gtb]

We are also adopting 2 unrelated children from Almaty. We should be traveling the very end of July and should return in early Sept. Both of our children are 12 and 15 months old.

Gwen

[cr4cr]

I stand corrected. Good luck to all of you.

Robin

[mom2six]

We JUST returned July 2nd from adopting 2 unrelated children - ages 2 and 4 - both boys from the Kostanai/Quostanay region. We had NO problems - and only needed one dossier. Totally possible. I return to get my boys on Aug 1st !
Steph P

[gtefigel]

Congratulations! You mention you only needed one dossier...but did you need two I600A and two I-171Hs?

[mom2six]

Yes - 2 I600A's for the Embassy - one for each child, but only 1 171H - because it states approval for 2 children.

Hope this Helps!
Steph P

[gtefigel]

Yes, Steph, that helps! I don't know why they ask those last questions on the I600A that ask if you plan on adopting more than one child if you need a form for each of them. Did you file both at the same time? I sent one in, but will probably do the other when we go for fingerprints.