Factsheet, Page 2

AVAILABILITY OF CHILDREN FOR ADOPTION : Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans (IR-3 and IR-4 combined):*

FY-1999…. 312
FY-2000…. 653
FY-2001… 1233
FY-2002 … 1104
FY-2003 …702

*Immediate Relative (IR)-3 visas are issued to orphans adopted in Ukraine. IR-4 visas are issued to orphans adopted or re-adopted in the United States. The visa requirements and paperwork are substantially the same.

Ukrainian children who have been registered with the Kiev-based National Adoption Center for one year are available for international adoption. The one-year waiting requirement may be waived only if children suffer from a disease listed with the Ministry of Public Health Protection.

Adopting parents who have registered with the Adoption Center may receive information about adoptable children only after they receive an invitation from the Adoption Center to travel to Ukraine. Under Ukrainian law, Ukrainian officials may not disclose information on adoptable children to agencies or other private citizens.

ADOPTION AUTHORITY :

Adoption Center in Kiev, Ukraine
27-A Taras Shevchenko Boulevard
Kiev, Ukraine 252032
Tel # (380)(44) 246-54-31/32/37/49
Fax # (380)(44) 246-5452/62


The Adoption Center, a part of the Ministry of Education, is the only legal Ukrainian authority for adoptions. It maintains the database of adoptable children available for both domestic and international adoptions. The Adoption Center is involved in the international adoption process from the moment prospective parents apply for registration until an adoption hearing is held in court. The National Adoption Center has a policy of direct contact with prospective adopting parents. Adopting parents must send their documents directly to the National Adoption Center. The Adoption Center will communicate with facilitators after an application is filed. Translators or interpreters are not available on the staff of the Adoption Center. Callers or visitors have to speak either Russian or Ukrainian, or have their own interpreters.

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Credits: U.S. Department of State