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International Ukraine Adoption

An international Ukraine adoption can be done independently, without the assistance and additional cost of an agency. But you do have to know what you are doing, a prospect many families found intimidating...until now. Thanks to the generous help of an adoptive mom with an amazing story of her own, you can do just that.

One Mom's Story

Immediately after giving birth to her second son, Cathy Harris was determined to pursue the adoption of a daughter. Her own mother was adopted, and she had recently discovered that her mother had Ukrainian roots. Cathy knew she wanted to adopt a little girl from the Ukraine.

She eventually contacted an adoption agency that took her money and did nothing. In frustration she eventually turned to an attorney who promised to facilitate an international Ukraine adoption for much less. She got her paperwork together and flew to the Ukraine.

And that's when the nightmare began. She had paid her Florida-based attorney with the understanding that the money would cover all costs in the Ukraine. But once she was actually in the Ukraine, she had to pay for extra expenses, including a $100 taxi ride.

Plus, officials were hostile towards her, and she later learned her attorney had a reputation for selling babies.

Help from Ukrainian Friends

With the help of contacts she made in the Ukraine, she did eventually adopt both a daughter and a son. These same kind people also helped when she later returned to the Ukraine to adopt another son independently without the assistance of attorneys.

Soon Cathy Harris started assisting others in their pursuit of adopting independently from Ukraine, and since her first trip to Ukraine in 1999, she has helped more than 1,000 families adopt independently, saving them thousands of dollars in agency fees.

Length of Time Required

If you pursue an independent Ukraine adoption, expect the process to take you less than a year, or even shorter, depending on what time of the year you start the process. If you want a shorter time frame, you are better off gathering your documents in the fall and submitting them in the early spring.

The Process

To start an international Ukraine adoption, you will need to get an I-171H approval from the USCIS. You will also need to gather documents for your dossier. Also, if you do not already have one, you will need to apply for a passport.

Submitting Your Paperwork

To pursue an international Ukraine adoption, you will need to submit your dossier to the State Department for Adoptions and Protection of Rights of the Child, also known as the SDAPRC. The SDAPRC will assign a translator for your documents.

Because the SDAPRC only accepts dossiers until they reach their quota for the year, you will need to submit your dossier early in the year. Once the agency has reached its quota, it shuts down and reopens the following year.

Getting a Travel Date

Once you submit your dossier, you will be notified of a travel date within three to four weeks of submitting your dossier. Expect the travel date to be three to four months later.

Want to Learn More?

If you would like to pursue an international Ukraine adoption without having to use an agency, contact Cathy Harris at Ukrainian Angels.


Other Helpful Information

The high cost of international adoption is one reason many couples don't adopt. Don't let finances stand between you and your child. Learn more.

Would you like to adopt from China? Although the wait can be up to two years, the price is very reasonable and the adoption program is stable. Here are some tips for adopting from China

Many couples are now planning to adopt from Ethiopia because of the shorter wait and the reasonable costs. Learn more about adopting these beautiful children.



The children available from Kazakhstan are generally well cared for and the program usually takes less than a year. Learn more about adopting from Kazakhstan.

The Ukraine might be an excellent adoption country choice, especially if you are interested in an older child adoption. Click here to learn more.



Are you wondering what the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions is and how it might affect your international adoption? Learn more.

Adoptions are currently on hold from Guatemala. Learn why.

If you would like to adopt from Russia, it's a great choice if you are older or already have several children in your home. Here are some tips.

Are you thinking about adopting from Korea? You can adopt a baby from Korea, but there are age limits, and recently, the process has been extended to about three years. Learn more.

If Haiti is your adoption country choice, here are some things you should know.

A Jamaica international adoption is an affordable, yet relatively unknown way of building a family. Here's the scoop on adopting from Jamaica.

Unfortunately, if you hoped to adopt from Romania, you will have to look elsewhere. Here is a brief explanation of why international adoptions from Romania are not allowed.

A Russian international adoption can rescue a child from the stigma of being an orphan. Here's what it's like to grow up an orphan in Russia.

Do you have your heart set on adopting a child from Brazil? It is possible, but be prepared for a complicated and sometimes lengthy process. Read more about it here.

If you feel you can't afford the high agency fees, take heart. The Ukraine may be an excellent adoption country choice for you. You can pursue an independent adoption from the Ukraine. Learn more here.

Are you interested in pursuing an independent adoption from Kazakhstan? It is possible. Learn some of the steps you will have to take by clicking here.

Adoptions from Nepal are now once again possible. Learn more about it by clicking here.

A Taiwan adoption might not be something you considered when deciding on an international adoption, but adopting from this small island off the mainland coast of China can mean a far shorter wait. Here's what you need to know about adopting from Taiwan.

If you're looking for an international adoption choice that isn't as expensive, consider some of the low-cost alternatives by clicking here.

The devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, opened the eyes of the world to the desperate plight of Haitians, including the countless orphans of Haiti. American citizens especially have been moved to open their homes to these children, but the U.S. State Department is urging these parents to slow down. Read more.

Corruption and greed brought an end to adoptions from Cambodia, but new laws and regulations are now being established that might one day allow American parents to again adopt from Cambodia. Learn more.

It is possible to adopt from Honduras without using an agency, but you will need to know the language and have contacts there. Learn more.

An update to pursuing a Haiti adoption: It is now not only once again possible, but necessary in light of the devastating earthquake in 2010. Learn more.



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