Moldova is a former Soviet block Eastern European country bordered by Romania and Ukraine. Only slightly larger than the state of Maryland, Moldova’s population is just over 3.5 million people. It is most well-known for its wine production, as there are numerous vineyards throughout the country. With a slightly hilly landscape and a few major rivers, Moldova’s countryside is ideal for agriculture, making it one of the most productive and fertile countries in the region.

After gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova is now a member state of the United Nations, Council of Europe, WTO, OSCE, GUAM, CIS, BSEC, and other international organizations. Moldova currently aspires to join the European Union, and has implemented the first three-year Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Our program coordinator in Moldova will guide you through your adoption journey every step of the way. She is a kind woman with a heart for children and has extensive experience in social work and children’s rights. With her excellent English skills and enthusiasm, rest assured your time in Moldova will be a great experience.

Adoption in Moldova is handled by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Adoption Department. Children of All Nations is directly accredited by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Adoption Department. Families will work with CAN’s local representatives to submit their dossier to the Ministry of Labor, who issues the referral, and then to court for final granting of the adoption. Moldova is party to the Hague Convention and has recently updated their criteria and procedures on adoption. Families should be flexible on program changes and travel requirements for Moldova.

If you would like more information about our Moldova program call an adoption consultant today at (512)323-9595 or send us an email!

Children available for adoption in Moldova range from toddlers to teens. Sibling groups are also available for adoption. Moldovan children are Caucasian with fair complexions or of Roma/Gypsy heritage, with olive complexions. Some of the children are healthy, while others have special needs that range from minor to severe. At this time, however, we will be opening this program for adoptions of waiting children only.

There are many older children and children with special needs who need loving homes. When selecting this program, consider the following about Moldova’s children (note: these requirements are subject to change as the Moldovan government evaluates this new system of adoption):

• Healthy children age 3 and up (Families need to request a range of at least 3-6 years)
• Children with Special Needs age 12 months and up
• Two or more siblings at one time

Children are available for adoption in Moldova due to voluntary and involuntary relinquishment of parental rights, and abandonment or death of their parents. The children are tested for HIV and other serious diseases.

If you would like more information, please give us a call today at (512)323-9494 or send us an email.

In addition to the USCIS eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parent(s), Moldova has the following adoption eligibility requirements. If you feel you are not eligible to adopt from Moldova, please contact us for a free case-by-case consultation regarding your Moldovan adoption.

• Citizenship: One adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen.
• Age: Adoptive parents must be at least 25 years of age. There must be no more than 48 years, but no less than 18 years, between the age of the child and the parents. In special cases, exceptions may be possible.
• Marriage Status: Married couples and single women are eligible to adopt. Married couples must be married for at least 3 years before applying. There are no prior divorce restrictions; however, parents with previous divorces will not be given priority by the Moldovan government or court. Contact Children of All Nations for a case-by-case consultation if you have previously been divorced.
• Health: If you take prescription medicine, or have a medical condition, you can contact our adoption consultant to determine your eligibility. Generally, parents must be in good physical and mental health.
• Income: There is no minimum income required. However, you must meet the income requirements provided by USCIS for the child to immigrate.
• Previous Children: There are no prior restrictions on the number of children in the home.

Moldova adoption eligibility requirements are subject to change per Moldova’s adoption laws. CAN updates these guidelines as necessary.

If you would like more information about our program, our specialized adoption consultants are standing by to help! To have your questions answered, call us today at (512)323-9595 or email us.

The time frame to complete international adoption from Moldova is currently an estimate, as the law has changed and no adoptions have been completed under the new law. However, completing an adoption is estimated to take about 12 to 17 months, depending on the time families take to complete their dossier paperwork, their preferences for age, and in-country processes. Adoptions of younger, healthy children may incur a longer referral wait, and the length of time is not known as of yet. This time frame is subject to change; please consult CAN for the most current processing times for your adoption from Moldova.

1. Application and Approval

To adopt a child from Moldova, please complete our agency application. For your convenience, you may access the application online to apply. If you have any concerns about eligibility requirements, please contact us before filling out this application. We will promptly review your eligibility to adopt from Moldova once we receive your application. If approved, we will provide you with our agency contract that outlines our fees, services and important information regarding the Moldova adoption process. Upon receipt of your signed contract, CAN will start to provide you placement services for a child from Moldova.

2. The Paper Chase

Once your agency contract is in place, it is time to start assembling your dossier. This will include a home study, which will assess your readiness for international adoption from Moldova and help prepare you for adoptive parenthood, filing with USCIS for international adoption approval, and gathering your dossier documents. These necessary dossier documents must go through the appropriate notarization and authentication processes. Your dossier will be reviewed and assembled at our headquarters in Austin, Texas before being sent to the Moldovan adoption authorities for approval. Children of All Nations offers a complete Dossier Preparation Service to ease your international adoption and give you peace of mind.

To ensure that prospective adoptive parents are prepared for their international adoption journey, our agency requires that parents complete 10 hours of adoption training, as mandated by the Hague Convention. To satisfy these hours, we have developed an online parent training program that we are proud to include in CAN’s service plan. For an overview of the program, please click here. Please contact us for more information regarding adoption from Moldova.

3. Identifying a Child

After parents submit their dossier to CAN, the dossier and application to adopt is sent to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and Family for approval and a referral. Families will receive medical information and pictures of the child they are being referred. The referral may take anywhere from 4 to 6 months, depending on the age and number of children you wish to adopt, or if they have special needs. At this time, these time frames are estimates, as no adoptions have been completed under the new adoption law, thus the time frame could be longer or shorter. Adopting a younger, healthy child may result in a longer referral wait.

4. Picking Up Your Child

After you have accepted your referral, you will receive permission from the regional adoption authorities to travel and meet with your child several times over the next 1 to 3 months for the bonding period. This may result in multiple trips to Moldova, or one lengthy trip, depending on the region. Both parents should be present during these visits. You will then return home for approximately 1 month, and then return for court and the visa processes, which take approximately 1 to 2 weeks. At this time, these are estimated travel time frames that could change as Moldova is transitioning into their new adoption procedures.

5. Post Adoption Requirements

Moldova requires 8 post-adoption reports to be issued during the 5 years after the adoption is finalized. Three reports are due within the first year, two reports in the second year, and one annual report in the third, fourth, and fifth years after the adoption is finalized. These reports must be submitted to demonstrate the benefits of international adoption for their children. It is the family’s full responsibility to complete the reports and submit them on time.

These reports will include medical exams, updates on general development, including motor and language skills, emotional development, including information about bonding and forming attachments with adoptive parents, family members, and peers, school report cards, cultural reports, and information about your child’s daily routine.

Books for Parents

Adoption in the Classroom

• Adoption and the Schools: A Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers by Lansing Wood, Nancy Ng (Families Adopting in Response)
• Children of Intercountry Adoptions in School: A Primer for Parents and Professionals by Ruth Lyn Meese (Bergin & Garvey 2002)

Issues in Adoption

• Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections by Jean MacLeod, Sheena Macrae (EMK Press 2006)
• Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge (Delta 1999)
• Parenting the Hurt Child : Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow by Gregory C. Keck, Regina M. Kupecky, Lynda Gianforte Mansfield (Pinion Press 2002)

Children’s Books

Adoption

• I Wished for You: an Adoption Story (Mom’s Choice Award Recipient, Book of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine) by Marianne R. Richmond (Marianne Richmond Studios 2008)
• A Blessing from Above (Little Golden Book) by Patti Henderson, Elizabeth Edge (Golden Books 2004)
• A Mother for Choco (Paperstar) by Keiko Kasza (Putnam Juvenile 1996)
• Horace by Holly Keller (HarperCollins 1991)

Articles

• Raising A Child of Another Race – Deliberate Parenting Can Make a Difference

Websites

Health and Wellness

• The Orphan Doctor – Highlights common ailments of adopted children

Support and Education

• National Council for Adoption
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• C.A.S.E — Center for Adoption Support and Education
• Adoption Learning Parnters
• North American Council on Adoptable Children
• Yahoo! International Adoption Groups Search Page