[cathvash]

As I inch towards my second Russian adoption, I keep having this nagging fear/thought that is really bothering me. When I go for #2, I would really like to take my 4-yr-old daughter with me (adopted from Vladivostok 2 yrs ago.) Given some of the Anti-American sentiment right now, and the fact that my daughter is both an American and a Russian citizen, do you think there is ANY risk that they could try to hold her for some reason? This might be an unreasonable fear, but I have nightmares in which they are trying to take her back!! She will be travelling on an American passport, unless there is some requirement that we use the Russian passport...

Tell me I am stupid for having this fear...Tell me if you have done it, and how it works...I need to know what to expect, or if I need to make other plans... Thanks in advance for your posts!

[Jim_in_PA]

She would have to travel in Russia on her Russian passport as she is considered a Russian citizen (and only a Russian citizen) by them. They will NOT issue a visa on her US passport.

I do not believe you are at risk taking her, but I personally would not take a 4 year old on an adoption trip. Older, maybe if well-behaved, but not that young. Personal opinion only.

[Teri M]

We aren't gong to do it - first of all - trip is soooo hard on us so I couldn't imagine taking our 2 yr old. second, what if keeps going thru my mind - I know paranoid - but this is still RUSSIA!! third- our attention needs to be on our daughter, not if Alex is fussy or hungry etc...she needs to be the focus of our attention.

And yes - they must travel on their Russian passport going into Russia and then when leaving on their US passport. Russia does not consider them US citizens when they are back in the country.

[GCS]

If we go back to Vlad for number 3 next year we are thinking we will bring Sam, who will be 5 then, with us. (it's surreal to write he will be 5 next year...where does the time go?). We wouldnt bring Sophia who would only be 2 or 2.5 then.
I keep in touch with our facilitator there and asked her this very question. She says that people bring their children back to visit all the time and that it is not a problem.
Sam was 3 when we adopted him and we think it would be good to travel back with him. We would only bring him trip 1 so that trip 2 when we have custody of our child it is all about bonding with him/her.

Christina

[MominPA]

We are in the process of adopting again. Our son is now 8 and we will be bringing him to Russia. We spoke with our agency and they have no problem with it. We will be adopting from Moscow City again so there will be no inter-country travel. I would be less incline to take him if it meant traveling for more of an extend time, but I know he can handle the JFK to Moscow flight. He is a good traveler, better then his dad .

He will be traveling on his Russian passport.

[cathvash]

Lots to think about. Alex at 4 has already travelled so much with me, and she's an airplane trouper so I'm not worried much about that angle. As a single mom, leaving her for 2 weeks with a friend or relative may not be an easy option, but I would never put her freedom at risk either. I hope that those of you who are travelling back to Russia with your kids will please remember to post how things go for you. Are you planning to let the State Dept. or embassy know about your plans? I am curious about the passport and visa issues, and whether you have any delays at the airports as the documents are scrutinized, or if you just get waived through...Your experiences will help me make my decison later next year. Thanks again!

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by cathvash

Are you planning to let the State Dept. or embassy know about your plans?

You should ALWAYS do this...and it can be done online. Select short-term traveler and be sure to have everyone traveling with you included in the information.

[cathvash]

...I guess it's a good idea if not imperative in this case. I only did it once before - traveling to Africa the week after our Embassies were attacked. I was so nervous that I stuck little Canadian Maple leaves all over my bags so they would be less likely to be "pegged"!!

Since my daughter is also a US citizen, it's possible that having her registered would help prevent any problems. I'm darn sure gonna call the State Dept. before we go, to make sure there have not been any recent incidents. Last time there, I remember seeing at least 2 families with #1 along to get #2, so the SD must be pretty familiar with this... Gracias

[Jim_in_PA]

Again, I do not really feel you are at any kind of great risk taking your daughter (unless you're visibly a bad parent ...unlikely! ). I would be more concerned with the attention you can give to her while you are doing this business called adoption, especially for someone so young. There may be times when you'll need/want child care, too.

Regardless, you really should register with the US State Department when you travel. Since your daughter holds dual-citizenship and has a US passport, you can register her at the same time. Just remember that you must also have her Russian passport with you as for entry into, travel within and exit from Russia, she is considered by the Russian government as a Russian citizen and not a US Citizen. (And you need her US passport for exit and entry into the US)