We are now accepting new applications for adoption through
Moldova.
As of January 2012, Spence-Chapin is in the final stages of
reaccreditation for our participation in Moldova's Adoption Program.
The Moldovan government is moving toward implementing new adoption
legislation. With this reorganization, it is anticipated that a number
of processes will be impacted - changing the timing of the program,
increasing the ages of children available, extending the length of
stay in country for families, and adding dossier documents. As in all
international programs, sibling groups and children with special needs
will be given priority in being matched with international families.
The Republic of Moldova is a small and landlocked nation in Eastern
Europe situated between Romania and Ukraine. In its history, Moldova
has been part of Romania as well as the Soviet Union, and has been an
independent nation since 1991. Moldova enjoys a favorable climate,
good farmland, and is famous for its wines. However, it remains the
poorest country in Europe, accounting for the high placement of
children in its orphanages.
- Due to legislative changes, criteria listed below may be
subject to change.
- Married couples and single women, where at least one member of
the couple is under 50-years-old at adoption completion.
- Applicants should be in a good physical health without diagnosis
of a chronic medical issue that would impact the parenting of a
child. Heath conditions may be screened on an individual basis.
- Applicants should be in good mental health and may not be using
any psychotropic medications. Mental heath conditions may be screened
on an individual basis.
- Applicants should have no arrest history, though a youthful
indiscretion may be acceptable. Applicants must be prepared to appear
in court and explain the situation to the judge assigned to their
case.
- Applicants must be financially stable with limited debt.
Children of both genders and of all ages are in need of homes. The
majority of children eligible for international adoption are
pre-school and school-aged. Families interested in adopting a young
child will need to be open to a child about 4 years old. Sibling
groups and children with special needs will be given priority in being
matched with international families. Children are cared for in
institutional settings in Moldova.
- Due to legislative changes, timing listed below may be
subject to change.
- Timing: After your dossier has been sent to
Moldova, the wait time for a referral can vary, depending on your
child request, though you can expect about 12 months on average.
- Referral: At the time of referral you will
receive basic preliminary information about a child, learning more
when you travel to Moldova on your first trip.
- Travel: 2 to 3 months after you accept a
referral, you will travel to your child?s region to meet him/her and
attend court in either the local city or in the Chisinau to complete
the adoption. This trip typically lasts about 1 week. When in
Moldova, you are fully guided through all adoption-related activities
by Spence-Chapin?s bilingual representatives. Your second trip is
typically 3 to 4 weeks later and lasts about 1 week. After
finalization, you will travel from Chisinau to Bucharest, Romania for
an interview at the U.S. Consulate to obtain an immigration visa for
your child.
- Post-Placement: Upon returning home, your child
will be an automatic citizen of the U.S. and you will receive a
certificate of citizenship in the mail. The Moldovan Adoption
Committee requires families to register at the Embassy of Moldova in
Washington, D.C. and to submit reports every 6 months for the first 2
years and then 1 report for the 3rd and 5th year after placement.
These reports must be written by the social worker based on an office
visit with your family. On-going support through the Spence-Chapin
Adoption Resource Center is available throughout the lifetime of your
family and is available at no additional cost for one year after
homecoming.
Spence-Chapin welcomes families outside of our direct New York/New
Jersey metropolitan service area to adopt through our program in
Moldova. To adopt from Moldova, your homestudy agency must also be
Hague accredited. Spence-Chapin collaborates with other reputable
agencies around the U.S., but not all are Hague accredited. For more
information about networking and a list of Spence-Chapin Network
Agencies, click on the link or contact our International Inquiry
Coordinator at 212-400-8150.
Spence-Chapin has a commitment to the children who are growing up
in orphanages and may never know the benefit of a permanent family.
Please click here
to read about our Granny programs in Moldova.
There are several categories of fees and expenses that adoptive
families should anticipate when considering an international adoption.
For an explanation of these, please refer to the Understanding Fees
and Expenses page. Included in these fees is a separate foreign
country program fee which varies. For Moldova it is $17,100.
Every year the agency hosts parties for
Spence-Chapin families formed through international adoption. Families
come together to celebrate with traditional food, crafts, and
entertainment, which offers children an opportunity to explore their
common heritage. For information about this year's celebration, please
contact Spence-Chapin's Events Hotline at 212-360-0274.
