August 13, 2013 MEMORANDUM TO: Ontario Adoption Agencies

Ministry of Children
and Youth Services
Ministère des Services à
l'enfance et à la jeunesse
Client Services Branch
Private & International Adoptions
101 Bloor Street West, 6th Floor
Toronto ON M5S 2Z7
Tel: 416-327-4736
Fax: 416-212-6799
Direction des services à la clientèle
Adoptions privées et internationales
101, rue Bloor O, 6e étage
Toronto (Ontario) M5S 2Z7
Tél:
416 327 4736
Téléc: 416 212 6799
August 13, 2013
MEMORANDUM TO:
Ontario Adoption Agencies Licensed for Russia
Adoption Horizons, Inc.
Terre Des Hommes
Tzivos Hashem Canada
World View Adoption Association
FROM:
Gloria Varghese
A/Manager
Private and International Adoption Unit
SUBJECT:
New Laws Affecting Intercountry Adoption from Russia
The Private and International Adoption Unit has been notified by the Embassy of
Canada in Moscow, Russia of recent changes to Russian adoption legislation. A new
law affecting intercountry adoption was signed by President Putin on July 3, 2013 and
will come into effect shortly. This law prohibits adoptions by same-sex couples and by
single people who are citizens of countries such as Canada that officially recognize
same-sex marriage.
As a result, the law will negatively impact adoptions by same-sex couples and single
Canadians. This law applies to all future adoptions, adoptions already in process, as
well as relative adoptions from Russia.
Please communicate this information with all current clients who are single or same-sex
couples who are in the process of, or who may be interested in, intercountry adoption
from Russia. In light of these recent developments, affected clients may wish to
consider intercountry adoption from another country.
Attached is a Report from the Embassy of Canada in Moscow following a meeting with
intercountry adoption officials from the Russian Adoption Authorities. Further updates
will be provided if and when available.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Gloria Varghese
A/Manager
Private and International Adoption
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Encl.