The Russian government recently reported that American adoption countries who wanted to operate in Russia would have to apply to be re-accredited or re-registered. But the application must pass through five different government ministries in a process that's so poorly organized it's left many hopeful families waiting indefinitely.

"'From the beginning everybody was very honest that things aren't that great in Russia, but just stick with it,' [Kathleen] Dorrian said. 'I think they want to keep these children in the country, to me I think that has a lot to do with it.'"

The deteriorating political climate between the U.S. and Russia is believed to be adding to the delays, as is the dramatic population decline (estimated at 700,000 a year) in Russia.

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Labels: adoption_agencies, international, Russia