[sleepytexan]

Hello,

We are a couple from DFW-area, TX, ages 52 and 40. We have 3 biological sons under 11. We began the process to adopt, (planning to go to Vietnam) in October 2007, but switched to Kaz in November. We have just completed the dossier to adopt one daughter, aged 0-2 from Kaz.

Our agency is now reviewing the dossier and should
send it for translation in the next few days. We hope
to have it in the hands of Kazakh officials by the end
of April. We are hopeful that we will receive an LOI
before October 2008.

We are concerned about a possible maximum age
restriction of 48 being implemented. Also we are
concerned about backlog and rejections from the Kaz
Embassy. Our rep is looking into submitting to the
Consulate instead of the Embassy.

Our agency has processed only a handful of Kaz
adoptions; in fact the rep who has worked with Kaz in
the past is no longer with our agency, so we have a
newbie who is about as confused as we are. I have
felt oftentimes during this process that no one seems
to know what is truly required. We submitted 33
apostilled documents! I understand the Vietnam
program required only 12.

Why did we go with this agency when they are inexperienced with Kaz, then? Well, we did not initially
plan to go to Kaz! We initially wanted to go to
China, but last year the lowered age restriction
knocked us out. Then--we thought Guatemala, then Vietnam. You know the story. So here we are trying to go to Kaz, and praying everything will work out.

Would like to join the group to talk to others in the
process, especially those who have recently traveled
or are traveling soon.

Thank you for your consideration.

[amyfk]

I want to wish you all the luck. I do know how one can end up with an agency where they are newbies at a new program, especially with all of the new restrictions and closures of different international programs. Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.
Amy K, NJ

[JenniferKaz]

Do you know what regions your agency works in?

A lot of the agencies use the same in country staff, and the in country staff is really the ones who need to know what they are doing.

If you find out the regions and possibly even the co-ordinators names in country, the people on the boards might be able to tell you if those in country staff members worked well for them.

[DET62]

I am 45 and adopted my 11 year old son from Kaz last year. I am not sure what the age requirements are, but your agency SHOULD be up to speed on that. A good place to find general info. on agencies is the Yahoo group for Kaz adoptive parents. If you really feel your agency is incompetent you might want to consider changing.

Seems to me like I had to get about 22 documents apostilled...?

Good luck!
Dee

[sleepytexan]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.

We will be going to Taraz, most likely to the Umit Baby Home. I have seen several videos online of Umit, and I feel by now I will recognize the staff, the bonding room, and the music room!

I do know the name of my coordinator in Almaty; (am I allowed to post that?). I have seen pics of a guy on several blogs/videos--I wonder if it is our coordinator.

I have spoken to a family that adopted from Kaz through my agency last year--however the person they worked with here is no longer with the agency. They were very pleased with their Kaz coordinators--same ones we will have, so that is a plus.

I don't think we will change agencies at this point; I do feel our rep is committed to us, it's just new to him as well--we are his first Kaz family (he had been doing China for 7 years).

We are hoping to get in before any legislation putting in a maximum age of 48 happens. If we are unsuccessful, really all we could do is submit to Ukraine in January, as they are full for '08. Our agency is not re-accredited yet for Russia although they facilitated adoption there for over 10 years--they are still pursuing that.

Anyway, some questions --

"expedited" dossier processing?
I read somewhere on a forum about "expedited" dossier processing through the consulate--"greasing palms", etc. How does that work? My agency hasn't said anything about that; they have only worked with the embassy in the past.

I have friends who adopted 2 siblings from Russia and they did lots of "greasing", but I had not heard of this for Kaz. Can anyone shed some light?

"Kaz Consulate contacts?"
Does anyone have a Consulate contact? BTW, the phone numbers listed on the Kaz Consulate webpage are wrong! They are fax numbers! Whitepages.com lists a different number/address. My agency rep is trying to find out about Consulate submission, but there's no reason I can't be seeking out info at the same time.

"Taraz - Umit baby home"
Anyone adopt from there? Would you PM me? I would love to talk to you and get the scoop!

"traveling home"
Ouch! Coach fare is over $3k now, and Lufthansa business class is $11k! Yes! $11k! That is insane! I have heard about Golden Rule too . . . I will likely be staying in Kaz the entire time, with my husband making 2 trips. Will probably be traveling home alone with our daughter. Wondering whether to buy 1 seat business class for the return and hold her, or 2 seats in coach? I know it will be a challenge either way alone, but what did you do?

"traveling soon?" let's talk!

Any advice is greatly appreciated. PMs welcome!

[Mich71]

I will try to answer what I can.....

"expedited" dossier processing?I have not heard of this / know anything helpful about this.

I have friends who adopted 2 siblings from Russia and they did lots of "greasing", but I had not heard of this for Kaz. Can anyone shed some light?
Again we do not have any experience in this. But there is the whole gift giving that is done after the adoption is complete. A large part of Kazakh customs. And also a way to help the families still to come.

"traveling home"Airfare was a sticker shock for us too. In 2006 we paid about $2000, and paid for any changes (thankfully only once = $200 per ticket.) Since there was the 2 of us traveling we did not get our son an extra ticket (he was 10-1/2 months at the time). We were able to get bulk head seating for the 2 long flights home. They attach a bassinet to the wall and he slept in there a few time during our meal...yeah for us! If I were alone it would have been a tight fit in one seat...with toys, bottle and other "distractions"...but you will be bonding : ) If you do one seat make sure you get the bulk-head seat for a bit more leg room.

Best Wishes,
Michelle

[mcooks]

In response to the question regarding expediting dossiers in the consulate, my agency case worker brought up the subject before I submitted my dossier. She said that for $800, your dossier is taken out from the bottom of the pile and processed. Apparently there is only one person in the consulate who processes all the dossiers so without expediting it could take 3-4 months. But, since the increasing backlog of dossiers, my caseworker has recently said that this option may no longer be available. It's going to take my caseworker a couple of weeks to translate my dossier in Russian (she's a certified embassy translator). She said that when she's done, she will check to see if that option is still available. She seemed doubtful, though.

[sleepytexan]

wow. what agency are you using?

thx,

LL

[lovestruck]

we paid the expedited fee. See our time frames in my signature.

We did not really experience "greasing the hands" in Kaz.

I have a 51 year old friend in Kaz right now bonding with a 16 month old boy. She was changed from another region that would only allow her to adopt a 3 to 4 year old. So it depends on where you are going and your worker should know where these regions are.

I made one long trip and recommend it to anyone who has this as a possible option. My husband did not stay the entire time and I felt really safe in country.

We traveled KLM coach. We took our boys with us to Kaz so with the expense of them, business class was never an option and things went well for us in coach. Very pleased.

[mywifeandI]

I ended up hanging up on the travel agent that my agency recommended. He gave me a price of $2,800 each plus $290 for each change per ticket! He also set it up so I had less than an hour and ten minutes for every layovers; he was a Knucklehead! The next day he sent me an email offering round trip for $1550 each. I did not trust him so I called with Golden Rule and I was glad I did!

Golden Rule (Eldo) has been very good to us. We purchased round trip tickets for $1,700 each in February 2008 (Albany NY - DC - Frankfurt - Almaty). He even saved us $200 the next day when I called him to pay for the tickets! We are going back to Kaz on in 2 days to pick up our beautiful baby boy (Albany NY - Detroit - Amsterdam - Almaty), These tickets were $1,780 each. They charge only $50 per change. Golden Rule was a pleasure to work with!

[1999kazmom]

"It's going to take my caseworker a couple of weeks to translate my dossier in Russian (she's a certified embassy translator)."

There is now only 1 translator certified by the Embassy, and it is a man.

The proposed law to change the maximum age sets it at 50, not 48. This law has been proposed before and has never passed, but for some reason the rumors about it are stronger this time around. There is at least 1 agency out there who is not taking clients that are older than 48.

[DET62]

Pay the fee for getting it expedited. I paid a fee [less than $800, but it did the trick] last year.

Golden Rule can get you the best deal. I have a friend who works for Delta, so I got "buddy passes" and used them and saved a ton of $ that way

There's a guy in Almaty named Oleg who works a lot with adoptive families. He's good. I liked him very much.

The Hotel Kazzhol in Almaty is nice. I didn't do much there, just bonded with my son for a few days, which was wonderful. We did take a tour where we went up this huge mountain on a funicular and there was a lovely little park on the top, with a petting zoo.

Whatever you do, take plenty of reading material, as there's lots of boring times. Take snacks. PM me if you want the full list! After two adoptions I have a foolproof travel list.

Good luck!
Dee

[mcooks]

1999kazmom,
I meant the consulate in NYC, not Washington, D.C.

[1999kazmom]

It doesn't make sense that the Embassy (in Washington DC) and the Consulate (in New York) have different rules and procedures, as they should both be supervised by the Ambassador. But they do, so it is important to know which one the agency that you use submits dossiers to.

[montekarmelo]

You are very lucky. You have 3 sons and now another one. Reagards