Children:

The children available in the Ukraine are approximately one and a half years through school age and children with special needs. It is possible to adopt more than one unrelated child or a Sibling group. All of the children live in orphanages.

Adoptive Parent Criteria:

Adoptive Parents must be 21 years or older if married. Single women 25 years and older may adopt. Parents over 50 years are eligible to adopt older children. Divorce is acceptable.

Adoption Process:

Under Ukrainian Law, families will not receive direct referrals of children prior to travel. The release of medical information and photographs is not given in advance of traveling. Ukrainian law requires that all referrals be made by the Adoption Center in Kiev. All children available for adoption are registered in a central registry for one year before the adoption process can be initiated. The prospective family files a dossier with the Adoption Center and within six months will be invited to the Ukraine to meet children eligible for adoption.

With permission from the Adoption Center prospective parents travel to the child's orphanage to meet the child in person. Both parents must be present to meet the child and attend the court proceeding . The court proceeding is scheduled within a few days of acceptance of a referral. If parents decline a child, they must return to the Adoption Center in order to receive another referral and this will extend the parents' stay.

The family is typically in the Ukraine approximately two weeks on the first trip. Both parents must be present. The second trip is approximately one week and only one parent needs to travel. Parents can make one trip and stay approximately 25-45 days as cases vary.

Post placement reports are required after six months , one year , two years, and three years. Parents agree to submit a letter and photographs to the Adoption Center each year until the child is 18.

Fees:

Please call Brenda Baker for fee schedule and additional information.

1600A approval:

The cable should be sent to the American Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine.