Program Highlights
Kazakhstan is a very stable program. Referral time is relatively quick after the dossier has been submitted to the country. It is a great place to travel and very rich in culture and tradition. The country is very friendly.
Children Available
• Generally, healthy children aged 12 months and up are generally available from Kazakhstan. Occassionally, children under 12 months are available, but prospective parents should not rely on a younger child being available.
• Given Kazakhstan's geographical location, most children are of Asian heritage, but children may also be Caucasian or of mixed-heritage.
• Healthy and special needs children are both available.
• However, for 2008, dossiers are only being accepted for healthy children age 4 and up, as well as special needs children or sibling groups of any age. This moratorium on dossiers for infants and toddlers is expected to be only temporary.
Parents' Requirements
• Kazakhstan permits both single women and married couples to adopt.
• There is no minimal age for married couples, but neither parent can be over 50 years old.
• Single women must be at least age 25.
• An unmarried prospective adoptive parent must be at least 16 years older than the child s/he intends to adopt.
Number of Existing Children of Adoptive Parents
• Number of children already in the home is not specified.
Marital Status
• Divorce acceptable; however, there may be no more than 2 divorces; couples should be married at least 1 year.
Referral Time
• From the time a family's dossier is registered in Kazakhstan, a letter of invitation to accept a referral is typically given around 8 weeks later.
Institution or Foster Care
• Kazakhstan has an orphanage run system of care.
Visits Prior to Adoption
• Parents are invited (and it is required) to travel to Kazakhstan to accept the referral of their child. No prior information is given to parents about a child before the parents travel to Kazakhstan.
Travel Information
• Parents may choose to travel twice or one longer trip. The first trip is approximately 3-4 weeks. The second trip is about a week. If parents decide to stay the whole time, it is about an 8 week stay in county. Escort is available after the parents have made the first trip.