Adopting from Armenia: Factsheet, Page 2

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS : There are currently no licensed adoption agencies in Armenia. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan has a list of lawyers who may be able to help adopting parents in pursuing adoptions. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Department of State assumes any responsibility for the quality of services provided by these lawyers.

Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.-based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan has a list of agencies known to work in Armenia. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Department of State can vouch for the efficacy or professionalism of any agent or facilitator.

Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators.

ADOPTION FEES IN ARMENIA : Prospective adoptive parents can expect to pay approximately $45.00 in fees to Armenian governmental agencies. Attorneys assisting families to adopt may charge additional fees for services rendered.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES IN ARMENIA :

The documents listed below must be submitted to the Adoption Department of the Prime Minister's Office of Armenia. This office reviews adoption applications and approves prospective adoptive parents to adopt in Armenia.

Once the general permission to adopt is obtained, the parents must register with the Ministry of Social Security data bank. The parents may then start looking for a child. The adoptive parents or their representative should contact orphanages in Yerevan or in other districts of Armenia to locate a child for adoption.

Once the child is identified for adoption, the parents must inform the Ministry of Social Security. The Ministry then transfers the case to the Adoption Department of the Prime Minister's office for final approval. A special working group comprised of deputy ministers of several ministries will review the case during one of their scheduled sessions, which take place every second week. After receiving a final approval from the Prime Minister's office, the case is then transferred to the District Municipal Office of the child's residence. The Municipality will provide the adoptive parents, or their legal representative, with all necessary documents in order to get the new birth certificate, adoption certificate and the Armenian passport.

An authorized representative of the adoptive parents can do all of the above steps. Authorization can be provided by a notarized power of attorney authorizing the representative to arrange the adoption. Prospective adoptive parents can expect travel to Armenia to sign adoption papers and attend the I-604 orphan investigation interview at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan (see below).

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Credits: U.S. Department of State