Adoption of Children who are Citizens of Ukraine by Foreign Citizens

Citizens of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who have expressed an interest in adopting a child who is a citizen of Ukraine, should make a written declaration to the Center for Child Adoption of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine (address:252032 Kyiv, 27 Taras Shevchenko Street, telephone 216-27-21) regarding their placement on a list of candidates for adoption and the right to visit appropriate governmental agencies for the selection, visitation, and adoption processes involving such children.

Such declaration should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Declaration executed by the competent Dutch authorities which confirm the candidate's capacity to be registered, including his status as a homeowner or renter of an acceptable residence, biographical information, familial status - whether married, for how long, how many children and their ages, all other relevant personal information in the event that the declaration is made by non-governmental authorities, a copy of the authorization by competent Dutch governmental authorities permitting such fulfillment of this requirement for the adoption should be attached.

2. Permit of the competent Dutch governmental authorities where the candidate resides allowing the child to be adopted and to enter for legal residence within its jurisdiction.

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

4. Medical Certificate regarding the health of each candidate being registered.

5. Copy of Marriage Certificate (provided those candidates making the declaration are married).

6. Copy of passport or other document proving the identity of the candidate being registered.

7. Declaration by the competent law enforcement authorities for each candidate being registered stating that no criminal activity has ever been engaged in by such candidate.

8. Guarantee of those adopting at the time of the adoption of the child that registration of the child will be made within one month at the Ukrainian Consular Offices in the area in which they reside and updated information will be provided each year regarding the upbringing of the child, it being understood that the candidates guarantee the right of the Ukrainian Consular Officers to visit the child and that the child shall remain a citizen of Ukraine until his/her eighteenth birthday.

The above mentioned documents should be translated into Ukrainian by the Notary Public, and must be "authenticated" by Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Consular Office of the Ukrainian Embassy. For details see Section «Document Authentication and Legalization Procedures & Fees».

The documents should be translated into the Ukrainian language. The translation should be validated by written approval in the Ukrainian Consular Offices or in the appropriate offices on the territory of Ukraine.

The Center examines the adoption documents presented by the candidates, places these 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 gives detailed information regarding where the candidates should present themselves in order to meet with the children who can be adopted.

For the decision of questions regarding the possibility of adoption of certain children by foreign citizens, written notice should be given to the appropriate place finalize of education in the city where the child resides.

For the resolution of questions regarding the adoption of a child who is a citizen of Ukraine, foreign citizens should address the Center for all permits necessary to finalize the adoption.

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 for the processing of the adoption or, at that time, a written denial in detailed form.

Adoption of the child, who is a citizen of Ukraine, for foreign citizens is effected by the decision of the city (region) court for granting adoption orders.

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.

In the name of and in the interest of citizens who request the adoption of a child, other individuals may act by specific written power - of - attorney for the purpose of effecting the correct legal transfer of the child except in the following capacities:

1. Candidates for the adoption prior to a decision being made are personally obligated:

to familiarize themselves with the documents related to adoption of the child, including oversight by the state of the child's health:

to meet and establish contact with the child.

1. Attendance of the candidates seeking to adopt at the time of examination of the adoption papers in court is mandatory.

2. The candidates are personally obligated:

to accept the decision of the court regarding the adoption

to take the child from his residence by using as proof a copy of the court's decision regarding adoption.

The enabling acts of Ukraine, which decide issues of adoption are:

Civil Code of Ukraine.

Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Code for Marriage and Family in Ukraine.

Order giving children, who are citizens of Ukraine, the right to be adopted by Ukrainian citizens and foreign citizens and the stated control verification regarding their living with the adoptive family (Passed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, effective from July 20,1996, N 775).

Please, be advised that these provisions are subject to change without prior notification. Last updated: 10.05.2003