Ukraine Adoption Program

* Important notice, posted September 23rd, 2005 *

We will begin accepting applications for the Ukraine as soon as the suspension described below is lifted. This communication is from the Embassy in Kiev. As we learn more, we will post the information here.

Ukraine - Adoption Suspension on New Dossiers (09/21/05)

On September 21, 2005 the Government of Ukraine informed the U.S. Embassy in Kiev that the National Adoption Center (NAC) of Ukraine was suspending the acceptance of new adoption dossiers from U.S. citizens and citizens of several other countries. According to the NAC, the decision to stop accepting certain dossiers as of September 19 was based in large part on the past non-compliance of some families with post-adoption reports, which are required by Ukrainian law.

The Embassy has asked for further explanation from the Government of Ukraine regarding the premise behind this decision. The Embassy has also expressed concern about the abrupt nature of the decision and the fact that it was taken with no advance notice to, or consultation with, the countries affected.

According to the NAC, the new procedures do NOT affect dossiers that have already been accepted, unless the prospective adopting parents have failed to register and provide reports about a previously adopted Ukrainian child.

The Embassy will continue to track this issue closely and is discussing next steps with the State Department. Updates will be posted on the Embassy's webpage at http://usembassy.kiev.ua

Children available for adoption
* Children 12 months and older are available, Hepatitis B, HIV, and TB tested.

Eligibility requirements
* Married couples and singles are accepted. There are few restrictions with regard to age.

Process before travel
* Apply to INS for advanced approval to be eligible to adopt
* Satisfy the laws of the state where you reside
* Complete a homestudy by a licensed agency or social worker
* Meet the eligibility requirement of the Ukrainian adoption laws and provide necessary documents to the Ukrainian government

Time frame
* It takes approximately three months to obtain INS approval
* Invitation to travel is about 2-3 months from submission of completed dossier.
* Travel is about 4-6 weeks from arrival of invitation.
* Both parents must travel, although one parent may leave after 1st week.
* Travel requirements vary.

General information about Ukraine
(Statistical information taken from the 2000 CIA Fact Book)

The Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe between Poland and Russia. It is approximately the size of Texas, and most of its land is plains or plateaus. There are mountains only in the far west and extreme south. The climate in the Ukraine is moderate, with mild winters and plenty of rainfall in the fall and winter months. Therefore, the land is quite fertile, and agriculture is an important industry. The Ukraine is one of the world's main producers of sugar.

The Ukraine voted for its independent status on December 1st, 1991, and the U.S. recognized its independence on December 25th of the same year. Over the past decade, the Ukraine has struggled with its new status. Some residents look back at the Soviet rule as more stable although poor, so their transition is not without its cynicism.

Ukrainian people and culture

he population of the Ukraine is around 52 Million. Of those, 73% are Ukrainian, and 22% Russian, 1% Jewish, and 4% other. The major religion of the Ukraine is Christianity--85% are Orthodox Christians, 10% are Catholics of the Byzantine right, 3% Protestant, and 1.3% Jewish.

The city of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, has over 3 million inhabitants. Kiev is an important industrial center of the nation. It is known for its engineering, electronics.

Schooling is compulsory for children between the ages of 7 through 16, and opportunities for higher education exist for those who pass the entrance exams. Ukraine has many universities and colleges that welcome international students as well, especially at the graduate level. The literacy rate of Ukraine is outstanding- 98% of people over the age of 15 can read and write.

The fashion in Ukraine is very much like that of other European nations. They wear western-style clothing and are very particular about their clothing appearing unwrinkled and unsoiled. Many of the older generation of women still wear scarves on their heads and more conservative dresses.

Family life is very important to Ukrainians. It is common for elderly parents to live with their grown children to help in the care of their grandchildren while the parents both work outside of the home. The elderly are treated with utmost respect, and are valued as a loving part of the extended family.

The popular cuisine of the Ukraine is also widely known in the United States. Dishes such as dumplings, Borsch, and stuffed cabbage leaves are very common. The favored meat is pork and beef, and the cooked or baked cereal Kasha is a favorite as well. There are typically 3 meals of the day, with breakfast being very light. The mid-afternoon meal is the main meal of the day and consists of a soup course followed by a meat course. The evening meal is the meal where the family eats together.