Ukraine Adoption

An overview

After a two-year hiatus, Ukraine re-opened its doors to foreign adoption in 2007 with new restrictions in place: Singles may no longer adopt, and prospective parents may not be more than 45 years older than the child they plan to adopt.

For more information on adoption from Ukraine, see the U.S. Embassy in Kiev website, as well as the State Department's international adoption page for Ukraine. See also The Adoption Guide Ukraine page.

Fast facts:

Number of Adoptions from Ukraine:
2009: 610
2008: 457
2007: 606
2006: 460
2005: 821
2004: 772

Age/Gender of Children Adopted From Ukraine in 2008
Source: INS Immigration Statistics
47% female
30% 1 - 4 years of age
Estimated Cost: $30,000+
Profile of Children: Boys and girls, starting at about 18 months of age. 70% of Ukrainian children adopted in 2008 were age 5 or older.
Parent Ages: Prospective adopting parents have to be at least 18 years old. There must be at least 15 years difference between the age of the adopting parent and the prospective adopted child.
Family Status: Married couples only may adopt from Ukraine.
Travel: Usually two trips required. Only one parent required for second trip. First trip is 2 to 3 weeks long. Second trip is 1 week long. If only one trip, 5 to 6 weeks.
Timeline: From submission of dossier until appointment date, 5 to 12 months.

Helpful articles from Adoptive Families magazine:

• A Christening Ceremony by Kristen Widham
• Adopting Internationally by Susan Freivalds
• Someone to Watch Over Me by Janis Cooke Newman
• A Poodle for Anna by Mary Zisk

To get started in Ukraine adoption:

• Find an adoption agency with a Ukraine program through Adoptive Families' searchable database
• Join a parent support group near you that includes families who've adopted in Ukraine: Try Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
  Or search here
• Ukraine Adoption Site Ring
• Find a pre-adoption information meeting.

Consult these helpful books for families adopting in Ukraine:

• Russian Adoption Handbook: How To Adopt A Child From Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan by John H. Maclean
• Ukraine: A History by Orest Subtelny
• Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine by Anna Reid

Best online information sources for Ukraine pre-adopters:

• Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
  The website of the national parent support group contains information about adoption in Ukraine and chat boards.
• Eastern European Adoption Coalition, Inc. Pre-adopt information, online support groups.
• See also Adoptive Families' picks for the best websites for pre-adopters

Adoptive parents' sites with links about Ukraine:

• www.UkrainianAngels.org
• www.adoptukraine.com
• Sense Resources, a company that facilitates adoptions in Ukraine
• CIA World Factbook

Join an online community:

• Eastern European Adoption Coalition, Inc.
• Adoption from Ukraine, for parents who have adopted, or those who are interested in adopting from Ukraine
• Russian Adoption, including information on adoption from other Eastern European countries (including Ukraine)
• See also Adoptive Families' picks for the best websites for pre-adopters

Consult these websites to stay up to date:

• AF's Adoption News Ticker
• Ukrainian Embassy, adoption information
• U.S. Embassy in Ukraine