A Note on the Current Status of Armenia Adoptions:

At this point we are not accepting any new applications for Armenian adoption. The Armenian government has not closed adoptions, but the number of children available is very, very small and the timelines are too unpredictable for us to be able to continue to comfortably offer the program to new clients. We will continue to try and complete Armenian adoptions for the several families with dossiers still in Armenia, but will not be accepting new applications at this time.

Thank you for your interest in our program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old are the children?
Children are generally 10 days to two months at the time of referral. At the time of your second trip, your child is around 6 months. Each month you will receive an updated picture and medical information on your child.

How do I start the adoption process?
In order to start an international adoption, you need to fill out an Application (included in this packet), contact us, and sign up for the program. We will assist you with everything from that point onward and refer you to a homestudy agency in your area.

How long will the process take?
To a large extent, the over all time frame of the adoption depends on you. It is up to you to begin and complete a homestudy and apply for and receive USCIS (formerly known as INS) clearance. Some families can complete their homestudy, dossier papers and USCIS clearance in a few months, but some take much longer. The time frame for receiving a referral after completion of your dossier varies. Please call us for a current estimate. At present, the waiting period for an infant from Armenia is 2-4 months.

Who will help us during our stay in Armenia?
In order to facilitate your trip, we'll provide you with an adoption package that includes information on drivers, translators, contacts, and information regarding hotels in region for you and your child. You will never be alone during your stay.

How long will we stay in Armenia?
Your estimated stay in Armenia is 2 days for the first trip and 7 days for the second trip and 2 days in Tbilisi, Georgia for processing of your child's visa.

Can a single parent adopt?
In Armenia, only a single woman may adopt as long as she has Armenian heritage.

Can only 1 parent travel?
Yes. For the first trip, married couples may request for an exception allowing only 1 parent to travel. Both parents must be present for the second trip.

Armenia Program Overview

Step One: Getting to Know Us
The first step in the adoption process is for you to request and receive our information packet. Once you receive the information packet, carefully review the information and we strongly encourage you to contact any of our references. When you decide to join the program, send in your Application & Application Fee and once approved, we will send the Retainer Agreement. To formally join the program, you need to sign and return the agreement to us along with the Retainer Fee.

Step Two: Preparing Your Homestudy
At approximately the same time you sign up with us, you will need to select a state- licensed homestudy agency to prepare your homestudy and assist you in getting USCIS clearance. As we place children throughout the US, we are happy to recommend homestudy agencies in your area. We will work with them to prepare an appropriate homestudy for Armenia.

Step Three: Preparing the Dossier
Once you sign up with us, we will send you the Dossier Packet which describes paperwork needed for the Armenian government. The Dossier Packet tells you how to get your papers notarized and apostilled and we will walk you through the process. We pride ourselves on the personal nature of our program, and you will receive help and support every step of the way. We will review your dossier and work with you to correct any problems. This is also a good time to apply for a current passport if you do not already have one, as Armenian law requires that parents pick up the child personally. (Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section.)

Step Four: Dossier Goes to AAI
Once you have collected all your papers and had them notarized and apostilled, send the dossier to us with the AAI Program Fee. We then send your documents to the Armenia Consulate for translation and notarization (from English to Armenian).

Step Five: Dossier Goes to Armenia
Your dossier will go to our coordinator in Armenia. It will take approximately 1-2 months for the Armenian government to review your dossier and receive approval for adoption. After approval, our coordinator will contact hospitals for referrals. It will take approximately 2-4 months for you to receive your referral.

Step Six: Child Referral
Information on a referral will be reviewed by an American Medical Center in Yerevan and presented to you by an AAi representative. Parents will receive pictures and medical information. The next step will be to fill out acceptance papers and send in our Referral Fee.

If for some reason you do not wish to accept this child, you may choose to wait until the next child becomes available. We work with families until they accept a referral.

Step Seven: Travel Preparations
Upon your acceptance of a referral we will contact our associates in Armenia. Our associates will then work with local officials to prepare the child's documents and set up an appointment for you to meet your child. As soon as your child's papers are in order, we will notify you of your departure date. Details of your stay will be given to you in our Travel Packet and we will have a travel meeting with you (over the phone) to go over everything.

Step Eight: Your trip to Armenia
For the first trip you will fly to Yerevan to meet your child. There will be approximately a 3-4 month waiting period in between trips to prepare your child's paperwork for the court proceedings. For the second trip you will then go through the court proceedings in Armenia and complete all the necessary paperwork and then travel to Tbilisi, Georgia to process your child's visa.