Ukraine Adoption: Waiting Children Program

Ukraine Adoption: Waiting Children Program

AAI is currently not accepting applications for the Ukraine Waiting Children Adoption program.

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 Waiting Children Program?

• Infant, toddler, and preschool age children who have special needs are available
• Children over the age of six with or without medical issues or concerns are available
• Waiting and travel time may be substantially shorter than the regular Ukraine program
• After Russia, Ukraine is one of the most popular programs for Caucasian children in international adoption
• Sibling groups are also available
• Children reside in loving, well-run orphanages
• English speaking facilitators will help families during their trip to Ukraine
• Larissa Koedyker, AAI's Ukraine program coordinator, is Ukrainian-born and adopted a daughter from Ukraine
• View Eastern Europe Waiting Children photolisting
• Ukraine has opened an official web site featuring children who are available for adoption. Visit http://www.sirotstvy.net/ua/child_needs_family/. If you'd like more information on our Ukraine Waiting Children program or the children featured on this web site, please call 616.667.0921.

Location

Children are available for adoption from different regions throughout Ukraine.

Reason for Availability

• Voluntary relinquishment of parental rights due to poverty, unemployment, or medical concerns.
• 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 with trained medical staff.

Eligibility for Families

• Only heterosexual applicants are eligible.
• Only married couples (for at least one year) are accepted; single women cannot adopt from Ukraine.
• Prospective adoptive parents should be at least twenty-one years old.
• The age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child(ren) should not exceed forty-five years (oldest parent).
• Families that have other children are accepted.
• Previous divorce is acceptable.
• Certain medical and criminal issues may not be accepted.

Procedure

• You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI and then complete your formal application. You will then begin your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier documents. Upon completion of your dossier, it will be sent to Ukraine. A Ukrainian facilitator will translate and authenticate your documents and register your dossier with State Department of Adoption and Protection of Rights of Children. SDAPRC will then issue a date for your dossier submission. SDAPRC reviews the dossier and issues an invitation letter to travel to Ukraine.
• After meeting the child and official acceptance of referral, the documents will be submitted to the court. Both parents are required to attend the court hearing. The judge’s decision is made the day of the hearing but does not take effect for ten days.
• After the court decree is issued, you will obtain a new birth certificate and passport 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 take one, two, or three trips. If parents choose to stay in Ukraine for the entire process, their trip would last approximately five to eight weeks, depending on individual case circumstances.

Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.