Ukraine Adoption Program
Ukraine is situated in the south-eastern part of Central Europe and has its own territory, government, national emblem, flag and anthem. It borders on Russia, Byelorussia, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Poland on land and Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey on sea.
Ukraine is not a member of the Hague Convention for Inter-Country Adoption.
Adoptions from Ukraine are regulated by the Ukraine State Department for Adoption and Protection of Children’s Rights (SDAPRC)
Children Available
Children available for adoption from Ukraine are cared for in orphanages. Children available for adoption in Ukraine are usually over the age of six, unless they are in a large sibling group or have significant special needs. Both boys and girls are available for adoption. Prospective adoptive parents must be willing to adopt a child within an age range as opposed to a specific age. For example: a child in the age range of six to eight years of age.
Both boys and girls are available and parents can choose gender. Sibling groups are available on occasion. Children from Ukraine are of Ukrainian or Russian decent. There is a small minority of other heritages.
Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) must consult with medical experts to evaluate the child(ren) referred before accepting the referral.
Adoption Process Time
- There are no referrals of children before travel.
- The process for adopting a child from Ukraine typically takes from 8 months to about a year. However given the adoption would be an international adoption the family must be prepared to delays. Also affecting this time line are the type of child the parent wants to adopt, age, gender, the amount of families seeking adoption from Ukraine at any given time and the overall political climate for international adoption.
- Both parents must travel, but both do not need to remain in the country for the entire adoption process.
OPTION 1. One Trip. One trip approximately 4-5 weeks.
OPTION 2. Two Trips. Trip One: 2 -3 weeks. Trip Two: 7-14 business days. - Traveling to Ukraine is often the easiest part of the adoption process. Our associates will assist you with all adoption processing in Ukraine, including paperwork and translations and in country travel arrangements.
- When you travel to Ukraine, our associates will meet you at the airport; take you to your hotel or apartment; interpret for you at your SDA appointment; facilitate your adoption in the city where your child’s orphanage is located; translate, notarize and legalize necessary paperwork (court decrees, birth certificate, medical statement); help you to obtain travel documents for your child(ren); and assist with medical and US Embassy visits.
- Our in-country associates will stay with you until your departure with your child to the US. They have cell phones for continual support and quick communication and will guide you step-by-step through the adoption process in Ukraine and make sure that you have all the correct paperwork before you return home.
- Our associates will also assist with any concerns that may arise in the course of your adoption process.
- In addition, when you travel, ARS stays in touch with our overseas associates and with you as needed, as well as your family and friends, in order to update them about your adoption while you are in Ukraine. You will receive excellent support from both sides of the ocean: in Ukraine as well as in the US.
Important Information When
Considering International Travel
International adoption has become a very popular option for family building. International adoption is a complicated process that involves several governments, regions and different cultures. Our time frames are only estimations. The process can be quicker or slower and in depending on the amount of persons adopting from a particular country, at any given time, the resources of the country and the US Embassy. Delays in international adoption occur. We work very hard to prevent these and work hard to solve problems as they arise. It is important that any parent pursuing an international adoption from any country, understand this before they proceed with an international adoption.
Who Can Adopt From Ukraine
- Perspective parents must be between 25 and 50+ years of age.
- Couples married at least one year are eligible to adopt
- Divorce is acceptable
- People who already have children may adopt.
- Qualifying families from anywhere in the US with a valid home study can adopt
- Ukraine has fairly flexible adoption requirements
For More information and to inquire about our Ukraine program call 717-227-9560