[Abdulina]

Okay, so how much is the US Embassy Rip Off fee??? I say this sarcastically b/c I was pretty made at them last time. Totally US thinking in government. See, if you adopt one child, I think the fee is $345 or something like that to exit. If you adopt two related, you just double that. However, if you adopt two unrelated (which we are), then the fee jumps to well over $1200!!! Rip off central. I was so mad last time that the guy told me don't tell me, write your congressman. Anyone know why the discrepancy in price. CAn't our US Embassy folks add??

So, how much is the unrelated fee now a days? Tyring to figure out how much we actually need and the price tag keeps going up. Fustrated.

Thanks in advance.

[Kasey]

Stephanie, I know we are with the same "parent" agency, but not sure if you get the same documents as we do, but all the Embassy info is outlined on our trip 2 checklist. I don't have it with me at the moment but I can send it to you later.

[Abdulina]

Thanks Kris. It's nuts here! We're trying to figure out ALL fees and checked my check lists and they have nothing about the embassy, medicals, in-country air, etc. Trying to get a handle on it for the money. Thanks. Talk later tonight. Going out to get some other stuff done. I'm going to need a vacation or a valium soon--LOL. One of the two!

Thanks.

[calikismet]

According to the US embassys Moscow's website (http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular..._id=adoptions), the visa fee for each child is $380 (regardless of relationship between them), and the second unrelated child has an additional fee (on top of the $380) of $545. So $380 + $380 + $545.

As an FYI, this is not as "rip off" as it appears (well, it at least has a rational explanation). The $380 fee is the basic immigrant visa fee for ALL immigrant visa cases... regardless of method, relationship, etc. The government then charges $545 for the 2nd child b/c that is the fee for the I-600 for that child.. ($545 is the current fee for the I-600A, which then includes the processing of the I-600). So the fee you paid for the I-600A includes the processing of the 1st child's I-600 (and the I-600s for any related siblings). But you then have to pay an additional fee for each additional unrelated I-600.

That is the explanation at least. No, not really "fair," but then again, much in life is "not fair."

[Abdulina]

Thanks for explaining that one Calikismet. At least I got the fees. However, still, if they were related, I wouldn't be getting charged that extra $545. Just feel like we're being punished for them not being related. Charged "extra." This is our 3rd unrelated set of sibs from Russia. Yet, no one ever there has been able to explain the difference in price and I find that odd that their own employees can't explain why. We just only ever wanted to know why. We understand it's not fair and understand there are tons of fees related to this. Just would be nice to have them all explained.

Like, how come I can purchase RT in-country airfare for $300 for 2 people total yet my agency charges me $1035 for the same thing??? Just want to know why. Our first two adoptions, ALL fees were explained and we saw where every single dime went. Same agency, doesn't do that any more. Sorry to carry on. I think the insanity has hit hard and I just need some fresh air. Thanks again for the explaination. You guys are definitely faster than my agency at responses...LOL. Asked them the same question today! No answer.

Thanks, and signing off for the rest of the day. Too much else to do. Hey, we leave in 13 days!!! I'm getting too excited and at this point don't care about the fees or why they happen. Just want the kids home nad healthy. Can't wait to show pictures!

Bye for today,