Ukraine Adoption: Waiting Children 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.
Who are Ukraine “Waiting Children”?
Children between 12 months and 15 years who have special needs medical status
Children over the age of six with no medical issues or concerns
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 21 years old
The age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child(ren) should not exceed 45 years
Families that have other children
Previous divorce is acceptable
Average Process Time
The time from submitting your dossier to the State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDAPRC) to bringing your child home is an average of two to four months
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 SDAPRC. Two to three months after registration, SDAPRC will send you an invitation to visit Ukraine. Both parents are required to attend the court hearing.
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 passport for your child. You will then be able to obtain a visa for your child at the American Consulate in Kiev to bring them home.
Travel
Prospective adoptive parents will take one trip lasting approximately three to four weeks. It is possible for two trips to be scheduled or for one of the parents to leave after the court hearing.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
