Read the most recent news about our Ukraine adoption program (click here to read).
“I would absolutely recommend CAS again. Had a connection with CAS. CAS did a great job of preparing us.”-T.C.
Quick Reference
Children:
Age: 5 years and older, some younger children with special needs available
Parent Requirements:
Age: 25 and older
Marriage: Married
Other: Youngest parent cannot be more than 45 years older than child
Estimated Process Timeline:
SDAPRC gives travel date after dossier approval
Travel: 1-2 trips, 21-30 days
Children Available
Children with special medical needs are available at a younger age. Sibling groups are also available.
Ukraine offers beautiful children in orphanage settings and has historically been know for excellent orphanage care.
Eligible Applicants
Married couples are eligible to apply. To adopt a child under 3 years of age, families should be under 50 years old. There cannot be more than a 45 year difference between ages of parents and child. There may be other children in the home.
Program & Process
Required documents are submitted to the State Department for Adoption and the Protection of Rights of Child (SDAPRC). After your dossier has been approved by the SDAPRC, you will be notified of your scheduled appointment date. You will be met at the airport by an English-speaking representative who will assist you throughout your adoption process.
You will select your child referral at the SDAPRC in Kiev. Initial information is limited. You will be provided with more detailed medical and social information by staff in the orphanage where your child resides. Outside medical consultation can be arranged if requested. Children are tested for HIV and Hepatitis B. Arrangements will be made for travel to region by car, train or bus.
Upon arrival in the region and the formal acceptance of the child, a local court date is set within 7-10 working days. There is a ten-day waiting period after court. Parents do not have custody of child during the 10-day waiting period, but can visit the child in the orphanage. Parents can choose to stay in Ukraine or leave and return for a short second trip to complete the adoption. Once the regional adoption documents are obtained, parents and child travel to Kiev for child’s medical and Embassy visit.
SDAPRC has a yearly quota system limiting the number of international adoption dossiers accepted each year, Per resolution, SPDARC can refuse to accept a dossier if at the time of submission the central database does not contain any children meeting recommendations in homestudy. Children over six years old are more readily available.
The Country
Ukraine gained independence from Russia in 1991. Slightly larger than France, it was once called the “Breadbasket of Europe.” Ukraine is rich in natural resources and historical traditions.
If you are interested in adopting from Ukraine, contact Tania Griasnow, Ukraine Program Coordinator.
Further Reading
Adoption-Centered
The Russian Adoption Handbook: How to Adopt from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova—John H. Maclean
For Kids
The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale—Jan Brett
The Bird’s Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story—Eric A. Kimmel & Katya Krenina
The Castle of the Cats—Eric A. Kimmel & Katya Krenina