Carolina Hope’s Ukraine Adoption Program

Adoption from Ukraine was Carolina Hope’s first international adoption program when the agency was founded in 1998. The fees are reasonable, and we estimate that the process can take less 1 year from application to completion.

For about 2 years, Ukraine dramatically scaled back its adoption program. One of the reasons was the failure of many U.S. adoptive families to submit post-placement reports as they had agreed to do at the time of adoption. However, on July 3, 2006, a new adoption authority in Ukraine opened, called the State Department for Adoption and Protection of Rights of the Child (SDAPRC), under the authority of the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports. Carolina Hope is registered with the SDAPRC and has a strong system in place to ensure that post-placement reports will be submitted in a timely fashion.

For more details about adoptions from Ukraine, please contact Carolina Hope or request information using our online form. You can also find updated information at the adoptions page of the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine. The U.S. Embassy in Kiev is very supportive of international adoptions from Ukraine.

Who can adopt from Ukraine?

The Ukrainian government places few restrictions as to who can adopt. There cannot be more than a 45-year age difference between the adoptive parent and the child. Therefore, there are special restrictions on the age of a child that can be adopted by families with a spouse over 45. Ukrainian law does not permit singles to adopt.

What children are available?

All children available for adoption are in orphanages. Only children 14 months and older are permitted to be adopted from Ukraine. However, mostly pre-school and older children are available. In general, families hoping to adopt a girl should plan on her being at least 2 years old. Families seeking to adopt a boy can most likely select a younger child. The Ukraine adoption program is best for families who are flexible about the age of the child. Siblings are sometimes available.

How long does it take to adopt?

We estimate that once you are CIS approved, you can travel about 2 - 4 months after your paperwork is at the State Department for Adoption in Ukraine. Most likely, it will take about 8 - 12 months from the time that you start the process to the time that you travel. (Because the SDAPRC has only recently begun accepting applications, timeframes are difficult to predict.)

How is a child assigned to me?

Ukrainian law does not permit agencies to provide pictures or videos of specific children. You must select your child once you are in Ukraine. In your dossier paperwork and home study, you describe the age and sex of the child you wish to adopt. When you arrive at the SDAPRC in Ukraine, you are shown a picture of a child, and then you travel to meet that child. If the child does not meet your health expectations, then you may select another child.

What are the advantages of adopting from Ukraine?

The Ukraine program has been popular because the costs are very reasonable, and the timeframe to adopt is usually under 1 year. Many families also like to see a child in person before making a commitment to adopt that child.

Can I adopt a child with special needs?

There are many special needs Ukrainian children in need of homes. There is a substantial fee reduction for families adopting children with special needs. These families must be pre-approved in their home study to adopt such children.

Who travels to Ukraine to adopt the child?

Both parents must travel to Ukraine and stay until the court hearing, which takes place about a week to ten days after they arrive in Ukraine. Once the court decree recognizes the legal adoption, there is a required 10-day appeal period. After this 10-day wait there is an additional 10 days before the passport will be issued. Because there will be at least 20 days from finalization until your child can travel home with you, we recommend that you plan on two trips. Only one parent need travel for the second trip.

The CDC’s Travelers’ Health Website contains a wealth of information on health issues pertaining to international travel, including information on destination countries, recommendations regarding immunizations, and Travel Notices.

What are the expenses?

The fee is $19,050, which includes the agency fee, translation and registration of documents, and your in-country housing and transportation. Your home study, CIS fees, apostilling of documents, and travel-related expenses will usually add another $4450 - $7500 to the overall cost of the adoption.

What is the process?

• Complete home study and CIS form I-600A to receive CIS approval.
• Gather documents for your dossier and submit them to Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency for certification. (This step can be completed simultaneously with the home study.)
• Dossier is sent to Ukraine, translated, and submitted to the SDAPRC.
• The SDAPRC sends a letter to your home issuing an appointment date for travel (appointment is usually about 2-4 months after paperwork is submitted).
• Fly to Kiev, Ukraine. A translator/driver will meet you at the airport and accompany you for the duration of your stay in Ukraine.
• Select a child at the SDAPRC from pictures and information about available children who match the profile you requested.
• Travel to the region of the child’s orphanage and visit with the child.
• Commit to the adoption of the child.
• Translator submits paperwork to the court. About one week later, you attend a court hearing to adopt your child.
• After finalization, wait 20 days (a 10-day appeal period, then an additional 10-day wait) until your child’s Ukrainian passport is issued. (You may wish to return home during this wait period. Only one parent need return to Ukraine - or wait in Ukraine - for the passport.)
• Obtain your child’s visa at the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine. (More information about this has been posted on our adoption blog.)
• Bring your child home to the United States!

Are the children pictured on this page available for adoption?

Carolina Hope’s informational materials use photographs obtained from professional photographers and adoptive families. Apart from children pictured on a photolisting page, no children whose photos appear on this website are available for adoption.

Can I get more information from Carolina Hope?

If you would like print materials about any of Carolina Hope’s adoption programs, you can send us a request using our online form. We would also be happy for you to call or email with questions. (Our phone number and email address are available at our Contact page.)