1. Orientation: We invite you to meet with an agency representative to discuss the process of adopting from the Ukraine in detail. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about children available and the process and policies of the Ukrainian Government, the Agency and USCIS (formerly INS).
2. Application to Family Tree Adoption Agency (FTAA): FTAA will review your application to insure you meet state requirements in addition to the qualifications required by the Ukrainian Government. Upon application approval, the home study will be initiated.
3. Completion of the Dossier and Filing with USCIS: During the home study process you will begin to gather documents needed for your dossier and USCIS.
The dossier is a collection of documents that will be submitted to the government of the Ukraine for their review. The dossier serves to provide information about you and contains documents that verify that you have met the regulations and requirements of the Ukraine, your state and USCIS.
Upon completion of the home study, the I-600A application is filed with supporting documents (including your home study) to your local USCIS office for approval to adopt a foreign-born child.
FTAA will assist you with the dossier and USCIS process. We will meet with you to explain the dossier process including the documents required and how to authenticate your documents.
4. Review of Dossier and Submission to the Ukraine: FTAA will review your dossier for New York State applicants. The dossier is then submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Ukraine and is translated in that country.
5. Trip to Indentify the Child: Once the dossier has been received and approved in the Ukraine, families will be invited to travel to the Ukraine to indentify their child and complete the adoption process. Travel may occur within a month or longer after the government has approved the family’s dossier. Plan to be in the Ukraine approximately 35 days.
6. If Traveling for a Second Trip to the Ukraine: The second trip to the Ukraine will be to finalize the adoption and bring your child home with you!
FTAA will arrange all aspects of your travel to the Ukraine including flights, accommodations and meals, guides, sightseeing and of course the adoption process itself. We will include you in this process and encourage your input for a trip of a lifetime! If taking two trips to the Ukraine, you will be in the country10-12 days on your first trip and approximately 5-7 days on the second trip.
7. Post Adoption Supervision: We recognize the importance of post adoption support. According to Ukraine requirements at this time, FTAA will provide post adoption reports at 6 ,12 and 24 months. The family will send the reports directly to the Ukrainian Consulate on the third year and every three years after that until the child reaches 18 years of age. Post Adoption Reports are a requirement of the Ukraine. All families are required to authenticate and seal the reports and include pictures of their child before submitting them to the Ukrainian Consulate. A copy must be forwarded to FTAA for your records.
8. Your Child’s Citizenship: Children adopted from the Ukraine retain Ukrainian Citizenship for 18 years. Obtaining proof of citizenship and social security is necessary for your child. FTAA will assist you in obtaining a U.S. adoption decree.
For more information or questions please contact : cindi@familytreeadoption.org
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