Each region and orphanage is very different and so I can only offer you our experience. I would encourage you to search online for blogs of families that have adopted from Ukraine. Reach out to these people because more than likely, they would be happy to share their experience with you. I can only offer a general idea of how it works based upon our experience.
At your SDA appointment, you will unofficially accept a referral. During your SDA appointment you will be given an appropriate amount of time to look through children’s files. I wish I could say how many files are offered but we didn’t go to the SDA and accept a blind referral. We have been pursuing a known child since December of 2009. Anyway, after you’ve made your choice, either that evening or within the next 2 days you will go back to the SDA to officially accept the referral. The referral gives you permission to visit the children at their orphanage. If after meeting the prospective children, you decide to pursue them, usually within 2 to 3 days (upon first meeting) the paperwork will be drawn up so that you can begin the process of actually adopting them.
At this point, you will be taken to a few different government agencies to receive paperwork required to obtain a court date to adopt your children. Each region is different; each facilitator works differently to get this done. In the mean time, you will be allowed to visit your child one to two times a day as long as it doesn’t conflict with a meeting at a government entity. You will be signing paperwork or answering questions at these meetings. You facilitator will walk you through step. If you are ever confused, do not hesitate to ask questions.
The court date will typically take place around 2 to 3 weeks after your SDA appointment. Court will most likely take place in a judge’s chamber. There will be a lot of legal phrases read by the judge (your facilitator will translate everything for you) and the judge will ask your facilitator and you/your spouse some questions. Your facilitator will prepare you for the questions before court. After all is done, the judge will have you step out of the room so a ruling can be made. Within minutes, you will be signing paperwork stating that have received a copy of the court decree. You will receive the actual court decree within 10 calendar days (including weekends and holidays) if there is a mandatory 10 day waiting period after court. (*Note* If the 10th day falls on a weekend, you will have to wait until the following Monday. In some regions, vital statistics where the birth certificate can be obtained are not open until Tuesdays, so… your 10 day could easily turn into 12 to 13 days.) If there isn’t a mandatory waiting period, your facilitator will instruct you on how to apply for this to be waived. Each region is different as far as this rule goes. Also, the court decree is what gives you legal custody of your children! So court is a big, momentous day!
Either that day or 10 calendar days after court, you will pick up your court decree and then apply for your children’s birth certificates. Once your children’s birth certificates are in-hand, you can officially pick up your child from their orphanage! You will use the birth certificate to apply for your child’s Ukrainian passport. You cannot leave the country or apply for the child’s medicals at the embassy without the passport. Upon receiving the birth certificate, your facilitator will schedule your appointments with the U.S. Embassy. The appointments are scheduled for two, consecutive days. The 1st appointment is where you provide the documentation necessary for the Embassy to process your child’s visa. YOU need to print some of these documents before you leave for Ukraine. You can find these forms by:
-Go to the U.S. Embassy’s website: http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/visa-forms.html
Print out each form except the I-600 form. You will receive this form after you’ve applied for your I-600A. Of course, your agency will go through all of this with you. The 2nd appointment you will sign the forms you turned in during your 1st appointment and the conclusion of the 2nd appointment will be when they issue you your child/ren’s visa. You will most likely have your return flights scheduled for the next day and you’ll leave. Upon exiting Ukraine, you will present a packet you will received from the Embassy at your 2nd appointment, along with your court decrees, passports and any other documents you are instructed to present. It is important that ALL adoption related documents are stored in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.
Adoption related activity in Ukraine will take some time. Our American friends that live there in Kyiv (they are with the military at the Embassy) were always reminding me that everything in Ukraine is a process, so be patient. ;-)
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