Buckner has been placing children from Russia into loving homes since 1995 and has received accreditation by the Russian Federation to continue its services. Buckner receives referrals for children of all ages, from infants to pre-teens, who need loving adoptive families. Children of different ethnic backgrounds are available including children of Caucasian, Roma, Asian and Eurasian decent.
To learn more or to speak to an adoption professional, please call 1-866-236-7823 or 214-319-3426.
Buckner Adoption
5200 S. Buckner Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75227
July 13, 2011: Secretary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Sign Adoption Agreement. (learn more)
Buckner Adoption Receives
Accreditation from Russia. (learn more)
Angels from Abroad Postponed for 2011. (learn more)
Video: The Jenkins Family
The Jenkins family went from an empty nest to parenting two teen girls adopted from Russia. Though their days aren't always drama-free, this family loves each other. (Click to watch)
Video: The Potts Family
The Potts family has adopted three older children from Russia. They believe parents and adoptive children both have baggage. They also believe both sides can overcome their baggage, because all children deserve a chance to be in families. (Click to watch)
Video: The Potts Family
Russian orphans, upon graduating from orphanages, receive their ID card stamped with the word "Orphan." The Wilkins adopted two older children from Russia, giving them a new start, an opportunity to thrive and a chance to lose the stigma of being an orphan in Russia. (Click to watch)
Video: Natasha Votyakova, Country Director
Children older than 7 in Russia have almost no chance of bring adopted by Russian families, but these children can be excellent fits for adoptive families in the U.S. for several reasons, according to Natasha Votyakova, country director for Dillon in Russia. (Click to watch)
Children available for adoption in our Russia program:
• Single children and sibling groups
• Children ages 12 months old at the time of referral
• Older children ages 3 to 15 are also available
• Some children with special needs
A recent UNICEF report states that there are more than 750,000 children and teenagers living in institutions in Russia. The annual number of children left without parental care has more than doubled over the last 10 years, despite falling birth rates.
Some 10,000 young people graduate from the state-run orphanages every year. And at least 40 percent of these graduates eventually end up in prisons, while one in ten will commit suicide.
- Families complete a home study and then submit their dossier for the Russian government's approval.
- Wait time for a referral of a child older than 3 years of age, once a family's dossier has been submitted, is approximately one to six months. For a child younger than 3 years, it’s from three to eight months.
- After acceptance of a child referral, a family can anticipate traveling to Russia on the first trip in approximately two weeks to one month to meet their child. Families must travel and two trips are required in order to receive their child and finalize the adoption in a Russian court hearing. The first trip is between 3-5 days and the second trip averages 3-24 days. Families have an option to make three trips with the second being 3 days and the third trip being 11 days.
- Both parents are required to travel on two trips. One parent can travel on the third trip.
- Families are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Russia. Buckner will arrange for all in-country travel and lodging.
- Families will have the opportunity to visit the orphanage where their child lived and meet his/her caregivers and recieve all available medical and social information on the child on the first trip.
- Families will have opportunities for sightseeing to learn more about their child's culture and birth country which may entail additional time in country.
- Register the child with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow.
• Heterosexual married couples and single women living alone, between the ages of 25 - 50 years old are eligible to adopt. There should be no more than 45 years age difference between the parents' age and the age of the child whom they are adopting.
• Couples must have been married a minimum of two years. Second marriages must be a minimum of three years.
• No more than 15 years age difference between husband and wife.
• Families may not have more than 5 children under the age of 18 already living in their home to be able to adopt.
• U.S. citizens in all 50 states are eligible to adopt from this program.
Specific fees are only due after a particular service has been rendered in the adoption process and are considered non-refundable after payment has been received. All fees are subject to change and services are charged at the rate that is current at the time of billing.
ESTIMATED RUSSIA PROGRAM ADOPTION COST: $33,290 - $34,355
(includes agency, international, and travel fees only)
Other fees and expenses families will incur during the adoption process include: home study and post-placement services, USCIS fees, refundable deposit*, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the family's state of residence and the country adopting from.
Buckner has relationships with licensed home study providers across the U.S. and can assist families living outside our service area in locating a licensed agency near them for these services. For families living in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and southern California (counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial), Buckner will will provide home study and post-placement services through our affiliation with Dillon International. Buckner's home study & post-placement fees = $3,150 (in California slightly higher)
For a complete breakdown of expected fees and services for Buckner's Russia program, please contact our office at 1-866-236-7823 (toff-free) or 214-319-3426.
The follow up reports, as well as pictures, are required for Russia at:
- six months after placement
- one year after placement
- two years after placement
- three years after placement
Monthly medical and progress reports are required for Buckner during the first six months of post adoption support. The following is the required number of face to face contacts Buckner will make with families during the six month period, depending on the needs of the child and/or family:
- Infants to 2 years: two visits
- 2 years to 15 years: monthly visits for 6 months
