On July 13, 2011, Russia and the United States signed a bilateral agreement that will shape adoption in Russia for years to come. The agreement will come into effect only after the Russian Duma (presumably this fall) ratifies it, and both sides determine the actual mechanisms which will put it into effect.

The major structural changes appear to include a ban on independent adoption (i.e. without an agency) and a requirement that all agencies wishing to work in Russia be not only accredited by the Russian authorities, but also be Hague accredited in the US by the Council on Accreditation.

For the adoptive parents it makes psychological testing mandatory while also requiring that more information on the child’s social and medical history be provided. In addition, The U.S. State Department will work closely with the Russian Ministry of Education and Science in the process of gathering post-placement reports on the adopted children.

For more information on this inter-country accord check out the following links to articles:

http://www.uspolicy.be/headline/us-russia-agreement-cooperation-child-adoption

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/red-thread-adoptive-family-forum/2011/jul/20/russia-and-us-sign-new-adoption-agreement/

Also follow this link to the US State Department FAQs on the accord.

http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/FAQs_re_Agreement_07_13_2011_FINAL2.pdf