Ukraine
Today, many parents are choosing to adopt internationally from Ukraine: Since 1999, over 4000 children from Ukraine have been adopted by Americans. There is only one legal adoption agency in Ukraine – the government-operated National Adoption Center in the capital city of Kiev. The Adoption Center is the only organization which may legally show photos or files of available children and help you identify a child for adoption.
Adopting from Ukraine is significantly different than adopting from othercountries . The current structure of the child welfare system in Ukraine prohibits the distribution to foreign countries of information on children available for adoption. All information about children is kept by the Adoption Center in Kiev . This information is made available to foreign families who personally travel to Kiev after their adoption dossier is approved. Once a family submits their dossier, they are registered with the Adoption Center and the family is invited to Ukraine to select a child. Children may be selected from those on file with the Adoption Center . Once you select your child, and the documents are prepared, you will be accompanied to the local court where the adoption will be granted. You will return to Kiev to present your documents to the Center for Adoption where they graciously greet you and your new child. Finally, you go to the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration office in Kiev . There you will be accompanied to the U.S. Embassy to obtain the child’s immigration visa. You will then return home with your child.
Elgibility Requirements
Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.
Married couples and single women 25 years of age and older can adopt from Ukraine. There are no stated upper age limits, but parents must be at least 15 years older than the adopted child. No other restrictions apply.
Available Children
Children 14 months to 15 years of age are available for adoption. (According to Ukrainian law, a child must be at least 14 months old before international adoption is allowed).
Occasionally sibling groups are available. Special needs children younger than 14 months are also available for adoption.
The children available for international adoption in Ukraine live in orphanages
No pre-selection of children is allowed; matching is done in-country. Once your dossier is accepted and approved by Ukraine, you will then travel to Ukraine for the selection of your child.
Adoption Timetable
Although this schedule is subject to change, total process time from dossier submission to the time adoptive parents can travel to bring home their child averages three to six months.
Travel Requirements
Depending on how quickly you select your child, your stay in Ukraine can be approximately 21-24 days. Presumably both parents want to share in the selection of the child, and both parents must be present in the court hearing.
Both parents must travel.
If necessary, both parents could travel for child selection and court, and leave one spouse behind for adoption finalization and immigration processing.
Cost to Adopt from Ukraine
APPLICATION FEE $ 300
Due w/application, non-refundable
COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE $3,500
$1,750 due with submission of dossier.
$1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date
HOME STUDY $1,500
(If prepared by Compassionate Care) + Mileage
$ 750 due upon first home study visit.
$ 750 + Mileage due upon completion of home study
INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR FEE $1,000
Due when you receive a court date or travel date .
U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $ 830
Two Adults ($545 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).
DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION
Depending on which state you live in, you may have a fee
for document authentication at the Secretary of State’s
office in your state.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FEE $17,500
International fees cover the cost of government and legal
procedures and paperwork done for you as an adoptive
family and for the child you will adopt. International fees
also cover the work done by the coordinators, lawyers
representatives, and translators in Ukraine.
Total Adoption Cost $24,630*
*The Above fees do not include travel, and in-country living expenses.
**You will also need to purchase a one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.
***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change.
Our International Facilitator will greet you upon arrival in Ukraine and assist you in every step of the international adoption process.
They will make the arrangements necessary for translations, visiting the orphanage, scheduling court hearings, and obtaining the paperwork needed to complete your adoption.
For information about Ukraine’s Society click the link below: