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The time frame involved in adopting a child is comprised of many parts. Every adoption involves acquiring documents, filling out the forms, scheduling and writing of the home study, waiting for a child assignment, and processing the documents. The adoption agency actually has control over only a few of these elements. The rest depends upon the adoptive parents and the government agencies involved. Also the time involved can change from one month to the next depending upon a variety of factors: government changes, the number of children needing families and the number of families who are currently in process to adopt. We estimate it will take up to 18-24 months from application to placement of a child for adoption from Ukraine.
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Who can adopt from Ukraine?
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Married couples 30-55 years of age and families with up to 4 children at home and a minimum annual income of $30,000. Ukraine has no requirement regarding the length of marriage or prior divorces but instead looks at the strength of the current marriage and relationship history. We recommend that couples adopting from Ukraine be married at least two years at the time they begin the adoption process.
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Can we choose to adopt either a boy or a girl?
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No, country officials have asked families to be open to a child of either gender.
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What is the profile of children to be adopted?
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Boys, girls and sibling groups older than 3 yrs. Health conditions vary. Children may have mild correctable medical conditions. Even healthy children generally have experienced some malnutrition and developmental delay. Children are abandoned by their birth parents and brought by local authorities to the Orphanage for care. These children remain under the guardianship of the Baby Home or Orphanage until time of adoption.
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How old are the children?
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Children older than 3 yrs old. Children of all ages need homes, so families are encouraged to consider as broad an age range as they feel prepared for (3-7 years, at time of assignment). Families are welcome to specify in the adoption application letter their openness for a child as young as possible, keeping in mind that the maximum age difference between adoptive parents and adopted children cannot exceed 45 years.
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How do the children come into care?
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Most of the children come into care after being either abandoned or relinquished by their birth parents, or due to the death of their parents.
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How are Families selected for children?
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When reviewing your dossier the State Department for Adoptions and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDAPRC) will consider the type of child you request in light of the children available for matching when they review your dossier. Your adoption application will indicate your requested age range, gender, and health preference. The SDAPRC will then consider your family’s age, specific child request, and children available and will try to match you as closely to your request as possible. The Regional Court has final authority to grant an adoption.
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Where do children live while they are in Ukraine?
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Young children 0-4 years old live in baby homes. Older children 4-18 years old live in orphanages or family type homes.
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What kind of information is available about the children?
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Upon arrival to Ukraine, families visit the SDAPRC and receive a child match including a copy of the child’s registered dossier. The child’s dossier includes the child’s name, date of birth, gender, photo, major medical diagnosis, information about siblings and biological parents, and the orphanage location. The family then visits the child within 10 working days after the match to learn more about the child and make a final decision.
Upon a family’s arrival to the orphanage, all of the child’s information will be disclosed to the family. This information includes detailed medical, social and legal information on record at the orphanage. Adoptive families can take photos and videos of the child during these visitations.
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What kind of medical care do children receive?
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Children usually receive regular check-ups and vaccinations as needed. Acute care is provided at area hospitals.
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Do adoptive families travel to Ukraine to bring home their child?
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Yes, Ukrainian adoption law requires that both spouses travel to Ukraine to meet their child, attend the adoption court hearing, and formally complete their adoption process. Families must also travel to Kiev to process the adoptive child’s U.S. visa. Travel is approximately 6 weeks in country.
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How do I arrange my adoption trip?
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Holt provides travel planning and support. Holt can recommend a travel agency who is experienced with adoption travel and understands the unique needs of adoptive parents. Our staff also facilitates arrangements overseas, including transportation, hotel recommendations, reservations, setting appointments with childcare agencies, and advice on related preparations for the trip. You are responsible for the round-trip tickets from your hometown to the region in Ukraine where you child resides. You will also need to buy a one-way ticket for your child to travel from the region of child's residence to Kiev and then home.
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Can I adopt more than one child?
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Sibling groups are available for intercountry adoption. Holt does not support placing unrelated children at the same time.
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What kind of information do families receive during the adoption process?
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Families receive a Ukraine Adoption Process Guidebook after their formal application has been submitted. Our guidebook walks families through each step of the adoption process. Holt staff is available by phone or e-mail for consultation and advice to help you complete your application and dossier properly, discuss travel, advise you about your referral, and explain post-placement requirements.
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