Any info would be helpful.

We've been looking at a couple of countries since the Guatemala mess started. Azerbaijan is one of them. There are a lot of positives, but most adoption agencies have limited experience with Azer. Can't recommend an agency, but I see there's one posted here. Why did you pick Azerbaijan? JP

We picked Azer in hopes that we could avoid the mess in Guatemala and the fact that we could get a child that resembled caucasians.

I do not mean that we could not adopt a child out of our race and ethnicity, we just think it would be better for us. We would love a child as our own of any race and ethnic background.

Like you,I'm also new to this board.I just wanted to let you know that in early May Azerbaijan began revamping its adoption laws and requirements, which has process into an upheaval. Many agencies have halted their programs with Azerbaijan because of a slow down in referrals. Personally, I feel the slow down was in response to the impending changes, as many dossiers were returned because they no longer complied. That's just an opinion of course. My own agency is not taking any new applications for this country until they get further clarification. However, as I feel I am destined to adopt two Azerbaijani boys, I'm holding on the for ride. Another country would probably be your best bet right now until they "get their act together." Best of luck in both of your endeavors!

I have considered Azerbaijan also, due to the Guatemala upheaval. My agency has a program there and has reported positively about their process so far. I haven't look into in depth, but think I will start. Does anybody know where you can see pictures of the children and country etc? I noticed the post about the children looking "caucasin". I thought they would have more of a "middle east" look to them. I wondered if having a "middle eastern" look would hinder the children as they grew up with all of the problems here (USA) lately. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I know of many doctors (I am a RN) who come from Azi. They are very intelligent and beautifull people. The kids look alot like my son from Peru (hispanic),,black hair and big brown eyes. There are alot of orphans there, d/t wars , refugee situation, poverty etc...our facilitator that normally does Guatemala, has started a program in Azerbaijan. She says the program she will have uses private homes, 2 babies to a crib and 2 cribs per caretaker...and can get them home at 8 weeks old! (you can get newborn referrals)...We have a referral of a newborn, healthy bouncing baby girl in Guatemala,,8 lb 12 ounces , 22 inches long...born June 23rd,,,now we don't know if we will ever be able to get her out of that country. We were debating Azerbaijan, but now are hearing that their laws are currently changing also? We have given our facilitator 13 grand so far in nonrefundable fee's,,,she only goes to Guate and Azi. Now what!!!! Thanks, Cathy

I had considered Azerbaijan but as you mentioned the laws there seem to be changing and recently there were not too many referrals and those with referrals were waiting a long time to travel. I have to say I would be leary of anyone telling me a child would come home so young from this country. I belive the youngest age they can leave the country for International adoption was/is 9 months. If you want a very young infant, you may want to consider the Republic of Georgia where an adoption can occur once the child is 6 weeks old. - Maggie

Hello, I haven't heard anything about changing laws in Azerbaijan. Where did you get that information? Is there another website to locate in order to keep up on the latest information? The agency I am working with said they expected to bring home infants around 4-5 months of age. I wonder if this is possible after reading your post? Time will tell..Something has to be the right thing for me to do!

You should sign up for the Yahoo Group concerning adoption in Azerbaijan. This will get you the most up to date info. I don't think the laws will get more permissive. On that list, there was only one person who had brought home a child under the age of 1.

Children of the World in Missouri, Rudy Rivera's agency, has started a Azerbaijan program. I know he has a good reputation for his Guatemala adoption program. You may want to call and get some information from him. The number is 314-721-4070. Paula

Hi, My name is Teri and I'm in the beginning stages of getting my dossier together for an adoption from Azerbaijan. I'm using Reaching Out through International Adoption based in Cherry Hill, NJ. The coordinator for the Azeri program is located in Pittsburgh, PA and her name is Sonia. My understanding as to the current rules in Azerbaijan is that a child must be on the registry for at least 3 months beofre they are eligible for adoption. So theorhettically(sp?) they can be 3 months old at referral and COULD be as young as 5-6 months old when you bring them home. Referrals are apparently starting to pick up again but as with most countries infant girls are in the highest demand therefore families wishing this have the longest wait. The rules are probably going to change but there haven't been any definite answers yet. If anyone would like Sonia's email address, please email me privately(poohtob@aol.com) and I will give it to you. She will I'm sure be happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of her ability. Good luck to all, Teri Teri

This sure is a quiet forum! Has anybody heard anything about the meeting of the adoptions council or any other news re: adoption through Azerbaijan? Just trying to keep up! Thanks ahead of time.

Hi, I was looking into adoption from Azer. when we first started and one agency that was said to be good was CASI. Their website is adoptcasi.org. They list this as their requirements for the country: Parent Eligibility Married couples and single women of any age Children Needing Families 4 months and older, special needs, sibling groups and/or unrelated children Length of Adoption Process 8 to 16 months from the time dossier reaches Azerbaijan Travel Requirements 2 separate trips. 1st trip is less than one week and the 2nd trip is approximately one week in length. Expect 4-6 weeks between the two trips. The agency we are using worked in conjunction with CASI, but our agency has suspended international adoptions for a while, it was just a pilot program, so we are now working on domestic. However, I would still consider them if we go back to international at some point. Here is a little info about the country: Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 800,000 refugees and internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled. Ethnic groups: Azeri 90%, Dagestani 3.2%, Russian 2.5%, Armenian 2%, other 2.3% (1998 est.) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.) We liked this country because of high literacy and low HIV/Aids rate. Good luck! LBL:)

Hello! We recently adopted a baby who's father was Azerbiajani (sp.?) from Moscow, Russia. He is now 17 months old. His mother was Russian. He is beautiful, not that I am biased. He has big brown eyes and dark hair. And, he is extremely intelligent. He has been home for under two months and seems to understand everything that we say. We too are interested in finding out from adopting directly from Azerbaijan. Our son needs a little sister. But, we are concerned about how things are proceding there. So, we may consider adopting a child of Azerbaijani descent from Russia.

Hello all I was interested in learning more about adoption from Azerbaijan. If any of you have already adopted from there I would love to hear your experiances. Also I have seen on the boards that there had been some issues with adoption from there this past year. Is this resolved now that the process as changed to Tilbisi? Also I would love any pictures you could share of your adopted children. Thanks for your help.