Post-Adoption Reporting Requirements for Kazakhstan

Post-Adoption Reporting

 

Update

Update: As of July 12, 2019, intercountry adoptions of Kazakh children by Americans remains suspended due to the failure of many U.S. adoptive parents to comply with Kazakhstan’s post adoption reporting requirements [see blog]. The DOS strongly encourages U.S. adoptive parents of Kazakh children to comply with the post adoption reporting requirements in order to convince the Kazakh government to lift its suspension of future adoptions by U.S. parents.

Overview of Post-Adoption Reports to Kazakh Government

On June 16, 2017, the United States Department of State (DOS) issued a notice tiled “Adoption Notice: Kazakhstan's Streamlined Reporting Requirements” [PDF version].

Under Kazakhstani family law, adoptive parents of children from Kazakhstan are required to submit post-adoption reports every six months for the first three years after the adoption was finalized, and annually until the child reaches 18 years of age. These reports must be submitted to the Adoption Committee at the Ministry of Education and Science.

Kazakh Government Requests Submission of Outstanding Post-Adoption Reports

The DOS notice explains that Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education and Science is requesting the submission of all outstanding post-adoption reports for Kazakhstani children adopted by U.S. families. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education and Science has found 220 post-adoption reports that have not been submitted in accord with Kazakh law.

Simplified Reporting Requirements

The DOS noted that Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education and Science has simplified reporting requirements in order to make reporting easier for adoptive parents. Adoptive parents may avail themselves to an adoption service provider for assistance in compiling and submitting the post-adoption report. Please see the following PDF for a list of U.S. adoption service providers authorized by the Kazakh government [PDF version]. However, the DOS explains that the report must nevertheless include:

The name(s) of the parent(s);
The child's name;
The child's date of birth; and
The region where the child was adopted.

Furthermore, the post-adoption report should include a summary on each of the following points relating to the adoptive child:

Health and development;
Education;
Activities; and
Family adjustment.

The post-adoption reports should also include recent photos of the child taken in various situations. These may include family photographs.

The DOS explains that post-adoption reports may be submitted in English. The Kazakh government no longer requires that the reports be translated. However, they must be apostilled and notarized.

Submitting the Reports

The DOS states that families may submit post-adoption reports directly to the Kazakh Adoption Committee at the Ministry of Education and Science at the following address: [email protected]. The DOS encourages adoptive parents to copy the DOS at [email protected] in order to help ensure that the Kazakh government receives the post-adoption reports. Furthermore, the DOS asks that parents who have already submitted their post-adoption reports as required by Kazakhstani law to inform the DOS by email so that it can confirm receipt with the Kazakhstani government (note to DOS if it is the first post-adoption report submitted).

Post-adoption reports may also be submitted to the Kazakh Embassy to the United States:

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Visa and Consular Section
1401 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 232-5488
Fax: (202) 232-5845
Email: [email protected]
Internet: kazakhembus.com
Learn About a Country

Why it is Important

The DOS explained why it is important for adoptive parents to comply with Kazakhstan's reporting requirements:

Compliance with Kazakhstan's post-adoption reporting requirements would also contribute to an understanding of the positive impact that intercountry adoption has for children from Kazakhstan who are living in the United States.

The Kazakh government has discretion over its intercountry adoption policies with respect to the United States. Timely submission of the post-adoption reports from adoptive parents can both show the Kazakh government that Kazakh children benefit from being placed with U.S. adoptive parents and also reassure the Kazakh government that U.S. adoptive parents respect Kazakh laws regarding intercountry adoption.

In short, submitting the post-adoption reports as required by Kazakh law will help foster trust with the Kazakh government and benefit prospective adoptive parents from the United States who hope to adopt children from Kazakhstan in the future.