Important Notice to the Adoption Community Interested in Ukraine - March 05

Dear Members of the American Adoption Community Interested in Ukraine:

On February 25, 2007 the Decree #313, issued by Minister for Family, Youth and Sports Victor Korzh, became effective. This Decree approves the Regulations on Acceptance of Adoption Documents from Foreign Citizens, an official document that describes current intercountry adoption procedures and requirements of the central adoption authority of Ukraine - the State Department for Adoption and Protection of Rights of the Child (SDAPRC).

These Regulations define the order and requirements for acceptance and processing the documents from foreign citizens applying for adoption.

The following documents must be part of the adoption application (dossier) submitted to the SDAPRC:

1. Application for the SDAPRC with the request to be registered as prospective adopting parents.

2. Proof of income: a statement from the adopting parents’ employer indicating salary or a copy of W-2 forms or tax returnsCopy of the marriage certificate (if applicable).

3. Medical form.

4. Notarized consent for adoption from a second adopting parent, if only one of the parents will be adopting the child.

5. "No criminal record" statement supplied by a competent authority at the state level for each adopting parent, attesting that he or she has no criminal record

6. Home Study, issued by a competent authority in the adopting parents’ country.

7. Entrance and permanent residence permit for the adopted child. TheForm I-171H, Notice of Approval of Advance Processing, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) serves as this document.

8. Copies of the passports or other identification papers of prospective adopting parents.

9. Commitment to register their adopted child with the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate in their new home country within one month of the completion of the adoption.

10. Adopting parents also agree to supply information about the adopted child’s living conditions and educational progress to the Ukrainian consular office at least annually during the first 3 years following the adoption

11. Documents to confirm that they own a residence, or have a rental agreement.

All documents are considered valid for one year, unless there is another term of validity established by the law of the foreign country, where the document is issued (the only exception for the U.S. documents is I-171H or I-797C Approval Notices, considered valid for 18 months from the I-600A approval date). All documents submitted in the adoption dossier must remain valid for at least another six months from the date they are submitted to the SDAPRC. The SDAPRC will check the dossier within 20 working days.

If the adoptive parents do not bond with the first child, they can request a second referral. If, however, the second referral is turned down by the prospective adoptive parents, the SDAPRC and the prospective adoptive parents can request a third appointment which cannot be scheduled until after six months, provided the documents remain valid

If adoptive parents wish to adopt more than one child, they will be shown applications of sibling groups.

The SDAPRC accepts new adoption dossiers four times a week: on Monday and Thursday from 2 to 4 pm, on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm. The SDAPRC plans to dedicate one of these days to acceptance of the U.S. dossiers only

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Ukrainian Adoption program

Ukraine remains a popular choice for families wishing to adopt children older than 16 months and sibling groups. World Links has helped numerous families successfully adopt from this vibrant country. Children from the Ukraine usually have fair skin and hair. The children receive good care at the orphanages and are generally in good health.

We’re With You Every Step of the Way

World Links International Adoption Agency has experienced coordinators located in Ukraine to guide you through each step of the international adoption process. From the beginning to the successful completion of your adoption, World Links will be there, making sure everything progresses as smoothly as possible. After you return home from Ukraine with your child, you can take advantage of World Links’ post adoption counseling, mentoring and social networks services. Our numerous events and get-togethers with other adoptive families provide continued support to families after the international adoption process is successfully completed.

Who Can Adopt?

• Married couples or single individuals are eligible.
• Prior divorce is acceptable.
• Parents must be at least fifteen years older than the child.
• Most areas have no upper age limit for adoptive parents.
• More than one child can be adopted at the same time.

Children Availability

• Infants (16 months and older) and toddlers are eligible for adoption.
• Older children and sibling groups can be adopted.
• Children with special needs can be adopted.

Adoption process

After you submit an application, World Links will help you begin the international adoption process. You’ll be assigned an individual consultant to assist in gathering the documents needed for the adoption dossier. Your documents will then be sent for translation and submitted to the Adoption Authorities of Ukraine.

The Ukraine program is unique because adoptive parents choose the child they want to adopt by traveling to the orphanage and meeting the available child. As soon as you are approved by the Ukrainian Adoption Authorities, you will receive the invitation to travel to Ukraine. World Links will schedule your trip and assist with all travel arrangements.

Both parents must travel in person to identify their child and to attend the court hearings. After the court hearings, this is a mandatory 10 day waiting period. During the waiting period one or both parents may return home. Only one parent is required to return to Ukraine to complete the process for approximately 8 days. A World Links’ coordinator will always be available in Ukraine to assist you while you’re visiting. Your entire stay in Ukraine will be 4-5 weeks if you choose to stay in Ukraine. If you choose to complete the adoption in two trips, the 1^st trip will be approximately 3 weeks.

To learn more about this program, please contact us by filling out a contact form or call at 1-866-236-7870