Ukraine

IFS is happy to be able to offer healthy Ukrainian children. While all ages are available, due to the child’s wait on the central registry in Kiev, the youngest will be at least one year old at the time of referral, and typically no younger than 18 months. This gives Ukrainian families the chance to adopt the children before they become available for international adoption. Certain cases of special needs children do not need to wait on this registry, so they could be younger.

The child referral process in Ukraine is unique. After the foreign dossier is completed, it is submitted to the State Department for Adoption and Protection of Rights of the Child (SDAPRC). After the dossier has been reviewed and accepted by the SDAPRC, the family is invited to travel to Kiev where they receive an official referral to a child. While there is never any guarantee that a particular age, gender, or health condition of a child will be available, it has been the experience of families working with IFS, that families have been satisfied with the referrals they received from the SDAPRC.

Within a few days of arrival in Kiev, Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) travel with an escort/translator to the town/city where the child is located. After meeting the child in person, the family has the opportunity to official accept the referral. If a family declines the referral, they can return to Kiev two additional times for additional referrals.

After accepting the referral of a child it takes from 1-2 weeks to appear in the court for a hearing. All paperwork will be completed by adoption professionals working in the Ukraine. At the court appearance, the judge will determine whether or not to waive the 30-day appeal period. There is no way to predict this decision as it depends solely on the judge, the appeal period is typically reduced to a 10-day appeal period, and in VERY rare occasions completely waived.

After the court hearing, PAPs have the option to stay in Ukraine or return home until after the appeal period has expired. Most choose to return home and rest and prepare what they need for the newly adopted child.

The total time for this process varies with each adoption. PAPs can choose to complete their adoption in one or two trips.

Option 1 – One trip: Typically one 4-6 week trip. One PAP may return to the USA after the court hearing. If PAPs want to complete their adoption in one trip, at least one PAP will spend the 10 days after the court hearing in Ukraine visiting the child, but not having any paperwork activity during that time. (Prior to departure the PAP who leaves earlier may need to visit the US Embassy in Kiev and file paperwork). The other PAP stays to finalize the adoption, obtain the child’s immigration visa and accompany the child to the US.

Option 2 – Two trips: First trip is approximately 2-3 weeks with both PAPs present and second trip of approximately 2 weeks with the presence of only one PAP being required. Two trips may be a desirable option for many families.

After the completion of the legal process, the U.S. Embassy in Kiev will review the set of legal documents for the child. When approved, an appointment will be made with the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Kiev. The medical for the orphan visa will be done in Kiev at the Medical Center of International Organization for Migration (IOM). Travel costs will depend on how many children you consider before you find the child that is right for you.

Requirements for Prospective Adoptive Parents:

• There can be no more than 45 years difference between either parent and the youngest child.
• There may be other children in the home.
• Only married couples are currently eligible to adopt.