Age Requirements:  Under a Ukrainian law which came into effect on April 24, 2008, prospective adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old, and at least 15 years older, but not more than 45 years older than the adopted child.  If only one of the adoptive parents complies with these age requirements, the adoption can be completed in the eligible parent’s name only.  If the child is being adopted by a relative, the age difference is not considered.

Marriage Requirements:  Foreign citizens must be married in order to be eligible to adopt from Ukraine.

Residential Requirements: There are no residency requirements to adopt in Ukraine.

Time frame: It takes anywhere between three to twelve months after adopting parents submit their dossier to the State Department for Adoptions and Protection of Rights of the Child until the appointment date. Parents can also expect a three to four week wait between the initial filing of the adoption in the local court and issuance of the final adoption decree (see also ADOPTION PROCEDURES/ Court Hearing).

Adoption Agencies And Attorneys: Since the current Ukrainian law does not allow adoption intermediaries, no private interpeters/facilitators will be allowed to interpret during the meetings of prospecting parents with the SDAPRC. You can still use the private interpreters/facilitators for other stages of the adoption process.

Prospective adopting parents can protect themselves by openly discussing all fees and expenses in great detail before hiring a facilitator or interpreter. Discuss recommendations with adoption agencies and with other families who hired these individuals in the past. Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has a list of translators known to work in Ukraine. These are general translation service providers and do not necessarily have experience with adoptions. Neither the U.S. Embassy nor the Department of State can vouch for the efficacy or professionalism of any agent, facilitator, or interpreter.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received reports of questionable practices during the adoption process by adopting parents. Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at the Web site for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at travel.state.gov.