Ukraine Adoption
A nation rich in traditions and customs, Ukraine remains one of the biggest countries of the former Soviet Union, and is smaller in size than only Russia and Kazakhstan. Located on the southwest side of Russia, Ukraine also borders Belarus, Poland, Romania, and the Black Sea. While the official language is Ukrainian, many people speak Russian, especially along the eastern edge of the nation where Russia and Ukraine share a border. Ukraine has been an independent nation since 1991 and is currently home to approximately 47 million people. Most Ukrainians live in large cities, such as the nation’s capital of Kiev, a modern European city with a population of more than three million. Visitors to Ukraine often find the people to be hospitable and kind.
Adopting from Ukraine is different than adopting from Russia or Kazakhstan. The only legal Ukrainian authority for adoption is the State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDAPRC), which is involved in the whole adoption process, from the time prospective adoptive parents submit documents through the court hearing.
Why Choose Ukraine?
- After Russia, Ukraine is one of the most popular programs for Caucasian children in international adoption
- Preschool- and school-aged children are most readily available
- Sibling groups and special needs children are also available
- Children reside in loving, well-run orphanages
- English speaking facilitators will help families during their trip to Ukraine
- Only one trip is required
- Adoptive parents are allowed to choose the child(ren) they adopt from the database of available children
- Larissa Koedyker, AAI’s Ukraine program coordinator, is Ukrainian-born and recently adopted a daughter from Ukraine
Location
Children are available for adoption from different regions throughout Ukraine
Reason for Availability
- Voluntary relinquishment of parental rights due to poverty or unemployment
- Parental rights are relinquished by the court due to abuse or neglect
- The parents are deceased
Children’s Situation
Children live in well-run orphanages and are cared for by loving caregivers
Eligibility for Families
- Only heterosexual applicants are eligible
- Only married couples are accepted; single women cannot adopt from Ukraine
- Prospective adoptive parents should be at least 21 years old
- The maximum age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child(ren) cannot exceed 45 years (the oldest parent)
- Families that have other children are accepted
- Previous divorce is acceptable
Procedure
You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI, have an International Adoption Awareness meeting in person or by phone, and then complete your formal application. You will then complete your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier. Upon completion of your dossier, your documents are sent to Ukraine. A Ukrainian facilitator will translate and authenticate your documents, and then submit them to the State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDAPRC). SDAPRC will then send you an invitation to visit Ukraine. At the meeting with a SDAPRC representative, you will chose your child(ren) from the database of children available for adoption. After choosing your child(ren), you will then visit the child(ren) at the regional orphanage. The facilitator will meet you at the airport and accompany you during your time in Ukraine. Once you are ready to adopt the child(ren) you chose, your case will be presented to the court. Both parents are required to attend the court hearing. The judge’s decision is issued the day of the hearing but does not usually take effect for ten days. A request to waive this waiting period may be granted when it is in the best interest of the child.
After the court decree is issued, you will obtain a new birth certificate and travel document for your child(ren). You will then be able to obtain a visa for your child(ren) at the American Consulate in Kiev to bring them home.
Travel
Prospective adoptive parents will usually take one trip lasting approximately four to six weeks. It is possible for two trips to be scheduled or for one of the parents to leave after the court hearing.
Note: Due to problems with passports for adopted children, this program presently requires two trips, the first lasting approximately two to three weeks and the second lasting approximately three to five days.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
