1. What are the ages of the children available for adoption and are they healthy?
The average age of the infants we place range between 12-36 months of age. Refer to Qualifications to see the age of infant/child you may qualify for.

The infants and children are generally healthy. As they have been in an orphanage/institutional setting, it is not uncommon for them to have physical or developmental delays, colds, upper respiratory infections, rashes, etc. Most adoptive families report that their children flourished in their development shortly after placement.

2. How long will it take to complete the adoption?
The adoption process has several different steps and the length of time it takes to complete those steps is dependent on several factors. The following is an estimate of those steps.

Application/Homestudy: 2-3months
Dossier and BCIS approval: 3-5 months
Wait for Invitation to Travel: 3-6 months (varies)
Travel to Ukraine: 2-3 weeks after Invitation to Travel
Your stay in Ukraine: Trip# 1- 10-12 days (about 30 days wait time         between trips)
Trip# 2- 5-7 days

Please note that the home study, dossier and BCIS processes are completed simultaneously.

3. Will we receive a referral of a child?
The Ukrainian Government does not formally issue a ‘referral’ of a child to the agency. Families are invited to the Ukraine to select their child. However, Family Tree Adoption Agency works closely with the Orphanages and the Orphanage directors to obtain as much information as possible about children available for adoption that have passed through the “Data Bank

4. What is the Ukrainian “Data Bank”?
The Data Bank is a registration of all children entered into the Child Welfare System. Some of these children will become available for adoption.

Before foreigners may adopt Ukrainian children, they are first registered into the Data Bank for a period of approximately 12 months. During this ‘waiting period’, only Ukrainian citizens may apply to adopt a child registered in the Data Bank.

After a child has waited in the Data Bank for the allotted time, the child then becomes available for adoption by people other than Ukrainian Citizens.

For example: if a 24 month old child enters into the Welfare System, he
would be available for adoption by foreigners at 36 months.

5. After we are invited to travel to the Ukraine, how long will it be before we travel and who makes the travel arrangements? Do we travel in groups or on our own?
Most families travel within 2-3 weeks of being invited to travel to the Ukraine. We have had some families depart earlier and some later. The agency will work closely with you to get your input as much as possible to accommodate you. While the agency assists with the travel arrangements, we recognize that this trip should reflect the personal preferences of our families, if possible. Understand that due to the type of travel required and the short amount of notice given, travel may occur quickly!

You will most likely travel alone. This is due in part to the number of families traveling at different times. Whether you travel in a small group or on your own, please know there is always a guide(s) assisting you throughout the process.

6. Why do I need to travel to the Ukraine for two trips?
You will travel to the Ukraine on your first trip to select and visit with your child at the Orphanage. During the second trip you will complete your adoption and have your child placed with you during this time. This process includes registering your adoption and waiting for necessary documents such as your child’s passport and obtaining your child’s visa to enter into the United States.

Traveling to the Ukraine is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about your child’s culture and heritage and gives you time to get to know your child while still in an environment that he/she is accustomed to.

7. When does my child become a United States Citizen?
Your child will become an U.S. Citizen upon entering into the United States. If only 1 parent of a couple travels to the Ukraine on the second trip to complete the adoption, then you must re-adopt in the U.S. for your child to obtain citizenship.

8. What is the Certificate of Citizenship and why do I need it?
While your child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen upon entering the U.S., you still will need to obtain proof of citizenship. This is accomplished by completing form N600 available through the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Having the Certificate of Citizenship will assist you in applying for your child’s social security card and U.S. passport.

For more information or questions please contact : cindi@familytreeadoption.org