Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth biggest country by area, the largest of the former states of the former Soviet Union apart from Russia itself, and the richest country in the region due to its large oil and natural gas reserves. It borders Russia, China, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan placed almost 700 children with US families in 2007 – 2011, but none since. It is now willing to resume placements to US families and hundreds of children are waiting for homes.

Most families will need 5- 6 months to complete a home study, obtain US immigration approval and compile their adoption dossier.  Once the dossier is submitted to the Kazakhstan Central Authority, a child referral is expected within four to six months, depending on the child request.  Within 1 month of preliminary acceptance of referral, the family will travel to meet the child, remain for a long acclimation period, attend a court hearing and can then go home (the family may return home while awaiting the court hearing, which will result in a total of three trips).  At least one parent must return to Kazakhstan approximately six weeks later for approximately two weeks to complete the adoption, obtain the child’s immigrant visa and bring the child home.

Adoptive parents must be at least 30 and not more than 55 years of age (with some possible exceptions on a case by case basis). Couples must be married at least 2 years. Applicants should be of good moral standing, good health, and financially secure. Single women are also eligible to adopt from KZ.