Dutch Citizens, who wish to adopt a child from Ukraine, should submit a written declaration to the Center for Child Adoption of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine (address: 01032 Kyiv, 27a Taras Shevchenko Street, tel.: (+380-44) 246-5432, 246-5449, 246-5437) requesting their placement on a list of candidates for adoption.

Such declaration should be accompanied by the following documents:

• 1. Declaration executed by the competent Dutch authorities which confirms the candidate's capacity to be registered, including his status as a homeowner or lessee of an acceptable residence, background information, current marital status - whether married, for how long, with how many children and their age, other relevant personal data. In case the declaration is made by non-governmental authorities, a copy of the authorization issued by the competent Dutch governmental authorities granting approval for the adoption should be attached.

Please note that according to Ukrainian legislation, it is illegal in Ukraine to conduct business related to adoption through an intermediary organization or facilitators.

• 2. Permit of the competent U.S. governmental authorities where a prospective parent or parents reside allowing to adopt and to bring a child for legal residence in the Netherlands.

• 3. Document regarding receipts, annual income (bank statement showing the annual income of the family).

• 4. Medical Records (Statement) of each prospective parent being registered.

• 5. Marriage Certificate (required for married couples).

• 6. Copy of passport of each prospective parent being registered.

• 7. Criminal background check (police clearance) by the competent Law enforcement authorities for each prospective parent being registered.

• 8. Letter of Obligation to register a child within one month with the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ukraine and provide the Consular Office with the annual updated information (post placement reports) on a child's development. According to the Ukrainian Law the Consular Office is bound to supervise and visit the adopted child. The Ukrainian Law on Citizenship envisages that the child shall remain a citizen of Ukraine until he/she comes of age.

The above mentioned documents must be "authenticated". The documents should be translated into the Ukrainian language.

The Center for Child Adoption of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine examines the adoption documents presented by the prospective adoptive parents, places candidates on a waiting list, gives them necessary information regarding the children available for adoption, including all information which would be necessary for adoption and then schedules an appointment for prospective adoptive parents to visit an orphanage in order to meet and select a child qualified for adoption.

All issues regarding completion of all procedures relating to adoption of a child from Ukraine should be addressed to the Center for Child Adoption of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine.

At the time foreign citizens seek to finalize their application for the adoption of a specific child, the Center examines all necessary materials and gives written permission to begin adoption proceedings or, at that time, a written denial in a detailed form.

Adoption of the child, who is a citizen of Ukraine, by foreign citizens, is effected by the decision of the city (region) Court only.

No payments are to be made by candidates for the adoption of a child except those related to covering incidental office expenses.

No person acting in an introductory or intermediary capacity is allowed to accept any kind of payment for having facilitated the adoption of a child.

The applicable Law of Ukraine, which regulates adoption issues, is:

o Civil Code of Ukraine

o Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine

o Family and Marriage Code of Ukraine

The interstate Adoption Procedure is governed by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine N1377, effective January 01, 2004.

That Decree stipulates that the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ukraine shall supervise an adopted child and obtain post placement reports from adoptive parents.

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