I put up this post the other day to dispel the notion that the Russian government has, somehow, acted deliberately to shut down adoptions. But I realized, in re-reading the item, that I didn't explain what is, and isn't, possible to do for a Russian adoption right now. So here goes:

1) Can I start a Russian adoption now? In a word: Yes. All the early paperwork takes place on our side of the globe, not Russia. So, spend some time interviewing agencies to find the right one to handle your adoption, and when you do, fill out its application. At a good agency, application fees should be modest, and likely transferable to another of the agency's programs should things in Russia not go the way I think they will. Gather references on social workers to pick the one who will do your home study. Get all the information you need to help this person complete your home study, and make the appointments for the two or three visits he or she will need to make to your home. It could take as much as three months for your social worker to complete the home study, by which time the last wrinkles in the new accreditation process should have been ironed out. Track down your birth certificate and marriage license, and make sure that any copies have an official raised seal. Get a passport--issuing delays have been growing under the new passport rules, so the sooner you have yours, the better. Decide whom you will ask for letters of reference. Follow the child abuse clearance rules for your state. Download the I-600A, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' kick-off document for an international adoption. Start your Russian resources list.

2) Can I get a referral now? Unfortunately, no. Because the accreditations of every American agency have now expired, no referrals are being given out. But to make sure you are ready for when things start up again, find out when your home study and fingerprints expire and get ready to get them updated. Make an appointment with your social worker, for an update visit. If your passport is close to expiring, get it updated as well. You don't want your long-awaited adoption journey to Russia to be delayed because the Passport Services Office is now taking up to 10 weeks to issue a passport.

3) Can I complete an adoption now? No, and yes. While your agency's accreditation has expired, Russia has not barred the door to independent adoptions, which means you have your court hearing and complete your adoption without your agency's assistance. You won't see anything official on this, and not every region is accepting independent adoptions. But it might be worth having a quiet talk with your agency about what is and isn't going on in the region that issued your referral.