Overview

Factsheet
Background
Overview

What’s Involved in Adopting a Child From Moldova?

Moldovan children must be registered with the Moldovan Adoption Commission (or MAC) for at least six months before they will be eligible for international adoption. During this six month period of time, Moldovan adoption authorities will attempt to match the children with Moldovan families seeking to adopt. Furthermore, the adoptive parent’s country must be either party to the Hague Adoption Convention or there must be a bilateral adoption agreement in place between that country and Moldova.

Within about four months after your dossier is submitted to and approved by the Moldova Adoption Commission, you will receive your child referral. Once you accept your child referral, the MAC will invite you to travel to Moldova.

Moldova adoptions require two trips, but only one parent is required to travel. The first trip to Moldova involves a three to four day stay. The second trip to Moldova occurs about three weeks later and takes five to six days for the completion of the Moldova adoption. Parents and child must exit through the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, for U.S. visa processing.

Prospective adoptive parents from Moldova are required to use an accredited adoption agency when adopting in Moldova. There are seven U.S. based adoption agencies accredited by the Moldovan Adoption Committee.

Wide Horizons for Children, Inc.
38 Edge Hill Road,
Waltham, MA 02451
phone: 781-894-5330; fax: 781-899-2769
Internet: http://www.whfc.org/

Spence Chapin Services
6 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128-0698
phone: 212-369-0300; fax: 212-722-0675
Internet: http://www.spence-chapin.org/

Special Additions
P.O. Box 10
19055 Metcalf Ave
Stilwell KS 66085 USA
phone: 913-681-9604; fax: 913-681-0748
E-mail: specialadd@aol.com;
Internet: http://www.specialad.org/

East West Adoptions, Inc.
2 Parnassus Road
Berkeley, CA 94708
phone: 510-644-3996; fax: 603-908-8473
E-mail: info@eastwestadopt.com;
Internet: http://users.lmi.net/ewadopt/

Adoption Associates Inc.
1338 Baldwin
Jenison, MI 49428
phone: 616-667-0677; fax: 616-667-0920
E-mail: adopt@adoptassoc.com;
Internet: http://www.adoptassoc.com/

Carolina Adoption Services
301 North Elm Street, Suite 500
Greensboro, NC 27401-2189
phone: 336-275-9660; fax: 336-273-9804

1601 Oak St., Suite 107
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
phone:1-800-632-9312 (in-state callers)
E-mail : info@carolinaadoption.org;
Internet: http://www.carolinaadoption.org/

Wasatch International Adoptions
3725 Washington Blvd Suite 9
Ogden, UT 84401
phone: 801-334-8683; fax: 801-732-8905
E-mail: info@wiaa.org;
Internet: http://www.wiaa.org/

In a Nut Shell

Children Available: Healthy children of both genders between one and eight years old are available for adoption from Moldova. Sibling groups and special needs children are also available for adoption.

Parent Requirements: Married couples, single men, and single women may adopt from Moldova. Unmarried couples may not adopt from Moldova. Parents must be between 25 and 50 years old. Parents may indicate age and gender preference.

Travel Requirements: Two trips are required, but only one parent needs to travel. The first trip lasts about four or five days. The second trip occurs about three weeks later and lasts about one week.

Time Frame: After child referral, it takes an average of 6 to 9 months to complete an adoption in Moldova.

Number of Children Adopted by Americans in 2003: 12

Additional Information: Children are in orphanages.

Credits: The International Adoption Guidebook, © Mary M. Strickert