The Armenia program is a small program. At this time we are not accepting new applications as we wait for current families to move through the process. Please continue to check our website for updates.
Read the most recent news about our Armenia adoption program (click here to read).
“My wife’s initial research into adoption from Armenia revealed CAS to have the only consistently successful program operating there over the last few years.”
-S. P.
Quick Reference
Children:
Age: 6 months and older
Parent Requirements:
Age: 50 and under
Marriage: Married or single women
Heritage: Armenian (for children under age of 3 years)
Estimated Process Timeline
From Dossier to referral: 15-18 months
From referral to first trip: within 1 month
From first trip to second trip: 3-4 months
Travel: 1st trip, 5-7 days; 2nd trip, 2-6 weeks
Children Available
Children placed through this program reside in orphanages. The orphanage care varies from good to excellent and typically each child’s health and development is closely monitored. The children range in age from approximately three months to 12 years at the time of referral.
Eligible Applicants
Armenia prefers placement with adoptive parents who can demonstrate Armenian heritage, applicants must be open to a child age 6 months to three years. Families without Armenian heritage may apply for a child with varying degrees of special needs from moderate to severe or a child 3 years of age and older. Families applying to the program must also be less than 50 years of age and 20 years older than the child. Single women and married couples are accepted into the Armenia Program.
Program & Process
Upon collection of required documents, your completed dossier will be sent to the attorney in Armenia and translated. The wait for a referred child will begin and the current estimated time frame is 15-18 months from submission of dossier. When appropriate, the attorney will present the dossier to the Prime Minister’s office for approval. Once a potential child is identified, the family will be invited by the central authority to travel. Parents may choose to hire an independent physician to complete a medical evaluation while on the first trip.
Upon acceptance of your referral, the child’s documents and your dossier begin the final approval process. This process takes approximately 3-4 months.
After the Prime Minister’s approval is granted, you take your second trip. On the second trip families will attend court and receive custody of their child. The second trip may last 2-6 weeks. There is a 30 day wait following court, a petition may be submitted to waive this wait. The visa is obtained at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. You will be met at the airport and reside in a host apartment or hotel. Your stay will be an opportunity to experience the culture and typical Armenian family life. You will be assisted every step of the way with an English speaking representative.
The Country
The beautiful country of Armenia borders Azerbaijan, Republic of Georgia and Turkey. The climate is similar to the southeastern section of the United States. Armenia’s terrain is rocky and dry, as evidenced by the architecture and striking structural use of stone.
The country is predominately Orthodox and the people are from fair to dark olive complexion with dark hair.
If you are interested in adopting from Armenia, Contact Allie Weldon, Armenia program coordinator.
Further Reading
General
Armenia: Portraits of Survival and Hope—Donald E. Miller, Lorna Touryan Miller & Jerry Bernt
Edge of Time: Traveling in Armenia and Karabagh—Matthew Karanian & Robert Kurkjian
Armenia: The Bradt Travel Guide—Nicholas Holding
Armenia: A Rugged Land, an Enduring People—Lucine Kasbarian
Lonely Planet Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan—Tom Masters, Richard Plunkett
The Stone Garden Guide: Armenia and Karabagh—Matthew Karanian, et al
For Kids
A Weave of Words: An Armenian Tale—Robert D. San Souci & Raul Colon
The Contest: An Armenian Folktale—Nonny Hogrogian
The Golden Bracelet—David Kherdian & Nonny Horogian
Drop of Honey—Djemma Bider, Armen Kojoyian