History of Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe and the second largest country in Europe after Russia. Ukraine encompasses 233,000 square miles. Ukraine’s declaration of independence, approved by a popular vote on December 1, 1991, was a major factor in the USSR’s collapse later that month. The population of Ukraine is estimated at 46.3 million, giving the country a population density of 80 persons per sq km (206 per sq mi). Some 68 percent of the population lives in cities and towns. The largest cities in Ukraine are Kyiv, the country’s capital and economic, cultural, and educational center; Kharkiv, noted for its engineering expertise, machinery plants, and educational institutions; Dnipropetrovs’k, a center of metallurgical and aerospace industries; and Donets’k, known for mining and metallurgy. Odesa (Odessa), on the Black Sea coast, is the country’s largest seaport.
Ethnic Ukrainians make up 78 percent of the population of Ukraine. Russians are the largest minority group at 17 percent. Jews (considered both an ethnic and a religious group in Ukraine) and Belarusians each account for about 1 percent of the total. The Ukrainian diet depends heavily on rye bread, potatoes, and borsch (beet soup). Pork and pork products, especially sausage and salo (a type of smoked bacon), are favored meats. Consumer goods are now more available than in the Soviet period, but few people can afford them. The economic circumstances have unfortunately led to an ever increasing number of orphans. Many orphanages struggle daily to provide for the basic needs of each child. There are thousands of children now available for adoption.
Historically more boys are available than girls. Sibling groups are also more readily available than single children. Both boys and girls as young as 5 years old are available for adoption. This is dependent on the availability of this age child at the time of your appointment with the Department of Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child. The Department of Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child classifies children in these categories: 0-6 years of age, 6-11 years of age, and 11-17 years of age. Younger children are available from about 6 months but are classified with significant medical conditions. Adopting a child from the Ukraine is a wonderful way to build your family and provide an available child a loving home.
The Adoption Process
- U.S. Adoptions from Ukraine have increase from around 300 in 1999 to 821 in 2005. There were 640 adoptions from Ukraine in 2011.
- Ukraine processes adoptions through the Department of Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the child under the Ministry of Social Policy.
- Ukraine adoptions can take, on average, 12-18 months to complete.
- Children reside in the care of an orphanage while awaiting adoption.
- Applicants to adopt must be at least 25 years old. There is no longer an upper age restriction.
- Applicants must be married for at least one year.
- There are no restrictions for having other children in the home.
- The Department of Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child is the only legal Ukrainian authority for adoptions. Children must be registered with the Department of Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the child before they are available for adoption.
- It maintains the database of adoptable children available for both domestic and international adoptions.
- DAPRC processes the documents submitted by adopting parents and enters them into their database. Once an application is approved, the prospective adopting parents will receive an invitation to visit the DAPRC for their appointment.
- The DAPRC will communicate with Lifeline’s in country team after an application is filed and if that application is approved to adopt a child.
The Children
- Economic factors lead to most relinquishments of children. Parental rights may also be terminated in the case of neglect or drug and alcohol abuse.
- Ukrainian children who have been registered with the DAPRC in Kiev for one year are available for international adoption.
- Parents travel to Ukraine on a blind referral. Child matching takes place at your appointment with the DAPRC. A referral is given at that time.
- Children are available in the five-year-old range and up. Older children are also available for adoption. Sibling groups are more readily available than single children. HIV children are also waiting for a family. We cannot guarantee the age of a child/children who will be adoptable on your appointment date. We will work to help you meet your preferences for adoption as closely as possible.
- Although adopting sibling groups is possible, there is no guarantee a sibling group will be available at the time of your appointment.
Travel Information
- Both adoptive parents are required to travel to Ukraine to adopt their child. However, one parent may be able to leave after court has taken place in the region. This is before the adoption is completed.
- The average length of stay in Ukraine is 35-40 days depending on the region where your adoption takes place and pending any Ukrainian holidays that might take place while you are there.
- While meeting a child at the orphanage, adoptive parents will be shown his/her medical history. Adoptive parents also have the option of requesting an additional medical check-up of the child.
- Once the adopted child enters the U.S., he or she automatically becomes a U.S. citizen.
Updated: 04/12
