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| Adoption Overview | Document Checklist | Useful Weblinks | Adoption News | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview of the Adoption Process |
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The following is a general overview of the
independent Ukraine adoption process. It will take anywhere from 5-7 months from
the start of the adoption process to completion. Whether you use an agency or
adopt independently, you will have to follow these steps.
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· Gather required documents, such as birth certificates and marriage licenses. Send them with your I-600A form to the local USCIS office. Make sure you have a copy of your original birth certificate. If you have misplaced your birth certificate obtain a new original from the city clerk’s office in the city in which you were born. You can order these documents at the Court House or Bureau of Vital Statistics (http://www.vitalchek.com).
· Obtain required marriage certificate at the state level. This information can be located at your Secretary of State’s office in your state of residence. You will need a copy of each document for the BCIS (Bureau of Criminal investigation Services) and for your Home Study. Your Ukrainian adoption dossier will need a certified marriage certificate or divorce decree.
· Prepare and send in adoption application I-600A to USCIS (www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/I-600a.htm). This form is used by USCIS to adjudicate the qualifications of the applicant(s) as prospective adoptive parents. Filing this form will generally speed up the part of the processing relating to the qualifications of the prospective adoptive parent petitioner.
· Cashier’s check or money order for the total $545 payable to BCIS (Bureau of Criminal Investigation Services) plus fingerprint fees of $70 per person living in the home over age 18.
· USCIS will schedule a fingerprint appointment after the USCIS receives your I-600A form, birth certificate, and marriage license.
· Have fingerprints taken by USCIS for FBI background check.
· Conclude and remit your Home Study to USCIS.
· Acquire USCIS Approval (I-171H Form) 4-8 weeks.
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Begin Home Study
process with a Home Study agency or social worker.
· Obtain a list of required documents by your Home Study agency/social worker.
· The agency/social worker will set up several meetings at your home (for inspection) and at their office.
· The agency/social worker will work with you to complete all documentation.
· Home Study completed.
· A complete review will be performed of all documents that are required for the Home Study.
· Have the agency/social worker remit the Home Study to USCIS.
· Compile and submit applications for passports (4-6 weeks).
· Perform medical exam and blood work (1-2 weeks).
· Check to see if you have all appropriate vaccinations. Schedule an appointment with your physician to what if any vaccinations are needed.
· Assemble remaining documents required for adoption dossier. An adoption dossier is collection of required documents needed in order to proceed with the adoption process in Ukraine.
· Include:
· Send a copy of the adoption dossier information to the adoption facilitator for review.
· NOTARIZE ALL COPIES AND ORIGINALS.
· Send adoption dossier to your advisor for review.
· Have your adoption dossier Apostilled by your Secretary of State office. (An Apostille is a certification placed on legal documents which are recognized by each country which are members of the Hague Convention.)
· If adopting 2 children have 2 adoption dossiers Apostilled at the Secretary of States office.
· Have 2 copies of all your documents.
· Send apostilled adoption dossier to facilitator to begin process.
· Adoption dossier is sent to Ukraine to get translated.
· Facilitator will submit translated adoption dossier to Ukrainian Adoption Authority for approval.
· Receive letter of invitation from Ukrainian Adoption Authority to adopt. (Approximately 20 days after the Center receives the adoption dossier.)
· Receive letter of invitation from Ukrainian Adoption Authority.
· Receive passports.
· Determine a travel date with your facilitator.
· Purchase tickets for travel to Ukraine.
· Visa’s are not required for American citizens traveling to Ukraine.
· Total travel time in Ukraine is approximately 3 to 3 ½ weeks.
· Facilitator meets you at the Kyiv airport and begins coordinating all steps that are needed in order to complete the adoption of your Ukrainian child.
· Meet with representative of the Ukrainian Adoption Authority in Kyiv to review information on available children.
·
Choose a child/children
and receive permission to visit Ukrainian orphanage.
· Go to the area and the orphanage to which the Ukrainian Adoption Authority has referred you.
· Ukrainian court legalizes adoption of your child/children.
· Wait in Ukraine for 10 days in order to receive your final adoption decree from the Ukrainian court.
· Apply for child's passport and obtain child's birth certificate.
· Return to Kyiv with child and visit the U.S. Medical Center for the child's physical.
· Visit American Embassy in Kyiv. Fill out documentation to apply for child's visa.
· Travel home to the U.S. with your newly adopted child / children.
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