Info for Kids adopted from Russia

We receive several questions from people adopted from Russia, especially as they become adults.

1. I would like to travel to Russia.  Am I still a Russian citizen?
   1. You are still a Russian citizen unless you have formally renounced your Russian citizenship by sending your Russian passport to a Russian consulate in the US, and they have confirmed that your citizenship has been revoked.
   2. The Russian government is currently not issuing visas to individuals with U.S. Passports who are Russian citizens, but require them to travel to Russia on a Russian Passport
   3. If you are male, and you have not renounced your citizenship in the manner above, it is possible the Russian military can conscript you to service upon entry to the country
   4. You may travel to Russia on your valid Russian passport if it is still in your possession. No visa is required.  But you will need your US passport to return to the US.
   5. If you do not have your Russian passport, or it has expired, you will have to renew it with the Russian consulate.
   6. You are not able to travel to Russia on a US Passport unless you have renounced your citizenship in the manner above.
2. I would like to find my birth family in Russia.  May we suggest you contact an expert named Julia Sasha Lenova,  juliasashaleonova@gmail.com
3. I have money in a bank account in Russia.  Can I get access to it?  We may be able to help.  email daniel@nightlight.org

We also recommend contacting David Schunk, David.Schunk@comcast.net, who consults with adoptees about getting Russian records.