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How do I start the adoption process?
What makes Children At Heart different from other agencies?
How long does the entire adoption process take?
Where do the children come from?
How old are the children?
Is a child(ren) selected for me?
How long must we be overseas?
Who will help us during our stay overseas?
How do I know the child is healthy?
Can I adopt if I am single?
Can we contact others who have adopted through Children At Heart?
What expenses are involved in an international adoption?
What if I wish to adopt now but do not have the necessary resources?

How do I start the adoption process?

Complete the request for information form on this site, send us an e-mail or give us a call. We will send you information about our programs, answer any questions you might have (now and at any time thereafter) as well as send you an application to get started.

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What makes Children At Heart different from other agencies?

For one, as Directors, we have (5) wonderful children who we adopted from Russia and Ukraine. We adopted them as infants and older children. We understand adoption from both the personal and professional perspectives. This is a life-long commitment to serve those in need. Please see "About us " page for additional information.

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How long does the entire adoption process take?

If you are prompt in completing your paper work, etc. you can have your child(ren) home within 8 to 11 months from the time you initially contact us. Of course if you wish to take more time, you can. You help set the pace of your adoption.

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Where do the children come from?

All the children are currently living in government run orphanages. Every child is pre-approved for adoption by the appropriate government agency. The adoption is finalized in the child's country before you leave to come home.

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How old are the children?

Our agency has been successful in placing children ages 5 months to 12 years of age, however, most children are between 6 and 10 months old.  We have also placed a number of siblings, as well as a number of children with physical disabilities.

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Is a child(ren) selected for me?

No, our program in Kazakhstan is such that you personally interact with and select your own child(ren)  from the children available in the orphanage.  Your preference for age, sex, race, etc. is made known before you travel, but you choose your child(ren) after spending time with the children who are available for adoption. 

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How long must we be overseas?

Presently, our program requires you to be in country for 20-25 days and then return home after having completed your adoption in country.   After being home for about 3.5 weeks, you will return to Kazakhstan to complete the Embassy process with your child(ren) and return home - this is about a one week trip.  Presently, escorting of your child back to the States is permitted - please ask us about this option.

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Who will help us during our stay overseas?

Our network of facilitators, drivers and interpreters will be with you every step of the way. The only time you are alone is while on public air transportation or in your hotel or place of lodging. All of our staff live in the communities in which they work. They are known by the local adoption officials as well as the orphanage directors. We have staff that help you through the US Embassy paper work and are also available for tours.

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How do I know the child is healthy?

You will receive all available medical reports on your child and will be given opportunities to ask questions to find more information with the help of your pediatrician or experts in the medical field.

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Can I adopt if I am single?

Yes. We have a number of single mothers who have successfully adopted.

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Can we contact others who have adopted through Children At Heart?

Absolutely. We encourage you to do just that. We will give you names and phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. of families in your area as well as families with similar pre and post adoption circumstances. If no one is available in your area, we will give you contact information for families elsewhere in the country.

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What expenses are involved in an international adoption?

Expenses in the US: Passports, Visas, Home Study and post-adoption visits. Citizenship and Immigration form I-600A, FBI fingerprints, securing all the necessary papers and signatures, translation of all the documents, round-trip international airfare (includes in-country flights to adoption city), agency fee*

Expenses Abroad: Lodging, meals, taxis/ground transportation, orphanage donation

Note: Our Agency expenses include such things as rent, utilities, telephone, postage, printing, supplies, office equipment, insurance, advertising, document translations (here and abroad), website and e-mail maintenance, staff salaries, foreign facilitator fees, video and pictures of children, etc. Our fees must cover all operation expenses and provide sufficient reserves to cover the time without placements. We must also budget for travel to foreign countries to establish new programs or to work with the foreign adoption officials as countries make changes to existing programs and money is used to help the children who are not able to be adopted.

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What if I wish to adopt now but do not have the necessary resources?

We have put together a listing of "Possible Ways to Finance An International Adoption" which we would be glad to share with you. We can also direct you to a listing of employers who offer some type of adoption assistance.


 
Children At Heart Adoption Services, Inc.
145 North Main Street, Mechanicville, NY 12118
518-664-5988 fax 518-664-1220
email fth143@aol.com