[jgljrl]

We got the call today to start our visa paperwork, then we got another call telling us to "hold up". Apparently the databank has stopped issuing release letters AGAIN. They have given no explanation nor said when they would resume again. We're hoping it will only take a couple of days, like last time. We have been waiting since August to travel to get our 2 children we hosted this past summer.

[DaniJ]

Oh, Bummer! Is there no end to these petty yet major hang-ups?
I'm glad that you got the call before getting the visa stuff done, though.

[mikeintexas]

Hang in there Jill!!! You are getting closer!

Mike

[Littleruler3]

Can someone tell me the difference between the databank release and the waiting period! Am told that our son was released in Septemeber of 2004, theat there is a 4 month wait until we can travel...anybody understand this or have any knowledege about this procedure?


Mary

[Waiting4Skip]

Don't give up hope! These setbacks can be disheartening, but focus on those beautiful kids and hopefully soon you'll be on your way to get them!

Judy

[cherylanderson3]

As I understand it, as we are in the "waiting period " also. If the parental rights are waived by the court and the parent did not sign the papers to waive their parental rights, there is a 6 month wait from that court date. During this time, prospective adoptive parents can not travel.

Hang in there.

Cheryl

[Littleruler3]

I guess I'm intotal confusion. Our son was abandoned from birth, not that that is important, all i know is he was released in September and our agency said it would be a 4 month wait! I don't understand the difference between 4-6 month wait!




Mary

[calikismet]

Mary --

The waiting period is what is imposed on national and local levels (time and ability to run them concurrently varies by region) and relates to the child being ON the databases.. this is supposed to be a period during which Russian have 1st dibs, of sorts, to adopt these kids. OOnly after their periods on these databases have run can foreigners adopts them. The day that the child is placed on the registry varies by the child's situation - if the child is abandoned, or signed away at birth, it can begin more quickly; if signatures of people need to be obtained, then it can be later (and hence the child is a tad older). But in any case, that database period usually runs about 4-6 months long.

Once the child's period on the database has expired, and before the court can approve the adoption a foreign couple, an officer with the central Ministry of Education has to certify (by issuing a "databnk release slip") that the child has indeed been on the resgistry, that it has expired, and that no Russian couples wanted to adopt the child. The courts absolutely require this "slip" as a part of the final package for trip #2, and no adoptions can proceed if those cannot be issued. Families can get referrals and go on trip #1, but no court dates can usually be set (as judges usually will not grant court dates if they cannot get all of the papers, or if they know that it they will not have them by the day of court), and the adoptions cannot be finalized. So trip #2 is ultimately placed into limbo when there is no one to issue the databank release slips.

There have been 2 delays that have been discussed (and BTW, I got a confirmation thru the grapevine -- current client of an agency, who got the info from the agency -- this AM that no slips will prob be issued until after at least the 1st of the year), one relating to the slips and the other to the inability to get re-acceditation for those agencies who have run out.

Hope that helps!

[lesb]

keep that chin up!!! I promise you will have you children home safe and sound with you soon!

[waiting4agirl]

What's the databank? How does htis impact those of us that have our referral and are waiting for a court date supposedly in Jan.?

[mikeintexas]

If your dossier doesn't have the databank release slip, you cannot have your court date. See Calikismet's explanation (the 2nd paragraph) above. Unfortunately, some of us are trapped between trip 1 and trip 2 w/out a release slip.

Mike

[april*rain]

I can't believe the database is closed again, if it really is. Has anyone's agency confirmed this? We are waiting on our court date. I'm starting to think that maybe I'm just not meant to be a mom We've been waiting since July. We knew we couldn't travel until our son turned one (he's in Moscow City), but he is one now and we still have no court date.

I know that when we are all home together this will all seem like a bad dream (the endless roller coaster, I mean), but right now it just is unbearable.

[mikeintexas]

Lisa - this has nothing to do with you being a mom. So many people are in difficult situations right now. You are absolutely doing the right thing, and when it's all done, what a blessing it will be for you. Hang in there!

Mike

[goingtorussia]

Frank Foundation Child Assistance International is pleased to report that the Ministry of Education has NOT stopped the issuance of Databank Release letters relating to Russian adoptions. This information has been confirmed with the Russian authorities who asked that this statement be issued immediately.

We are aware of the widespread panic that resulted from the rumors which had been disseminated over the last few days. While we recognize that we cannot control the political situation abroad and circumstances may change spontaneously, we believe that any detail, particularly one as crucial as this one, must be verified to prevent misinformation and undue stress for everyone going through the very emotional adoption process.

Thank you for your patience. We continue to work for you and the children.

[calikismet]

That post on Franks' website has been up since the last databank closure.. It is not current. I have confirmation thru the grapevine (director of agency to client to me) that the databank is indeed closed again, thru at least the middle of Jan (till the end of the year, then of course thru the Russian holidays).

I am of course hoping that this is not true. But I have now heard in 2 separate places that the MOE has once again stopped issuing the release letters.