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UKRAINE CRISIS
MARCH 4, 2022


INFORMATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN UKRAINE

COVID-19 TRAVEL
DECEMBER 30, 2021


NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAVELERS TO THE U.S.

COVID-19 ALERT
JANUARY 10, 2022


UPDATE ON U.S. PASSPORT OPERATIONS

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Travel.State.Gov > Intercountry Adoption


 * CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON

 * SPECIAL ISSUANCE AGENCY

 * LEGAL RESOURCES

 * U.S. PASSPORTS

 * INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

 * U.S. VISAS

 * INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

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 * RECORDS AND AUTHENTICATIONS

Intercountry Adoption


INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION




ENGLISH

 * Adoption Process

 * About Adoption Service Providers

 * Post Adoption

 * Adoptions from the United States

 * For Adoption Professionals

 * Country Information

 * Adoption Reference


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INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION


 * "RECOGNIZING THAT THE CHILD...SHOULD GROW UP IN A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, IN AN
   ATMOSPHERE OF HAPPINESS, LOVE, AND UNDERSTANDING"
   
   - Hague Adoption Convention, Preamble




INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION



Intercountry adoption is one of the Department of State’s highest priorities. We
believe it should be an option for children in need of permanent homes when it
is in the best interest of the child and domestic solutions have been given due
consideration.  Each year, thousands of U.S. citizens adopt children from
abroad, and families habitually resident in other countries also adopt children
from the United States. 

Intercountry adoption is the process by which you adopt a child from a country
other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to
your country of residence to live with you permanently. This website can give
you valuable information about intercountry adoptions, from starting the process
to post-adoption information. 




POST ADOPTION INFORMATION

Important Information on Post Adoption Requirements and obtaining U.S.
citizenship


INFORMATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM UKRAINE

 March 10, 2022

The Department recognizes the security situation in Ukraine is of great concern
to prospective adoptive parents (PAP) at any stage of the process.

PAPs should be aware that the Department has issued a Level 4 Do Not Travel
Alert urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Ukraine and advising U.S. citizens
in Ukraine to depart immediately if it is safe to do so. The Department has also
issued several Security Alerts that address the ongoing crisis. On February 23,
the Government of Ukraine declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace
to all commercial flights due to Russian military actions. There are currently
no in-person U.S. consular services available in Ukraine and the U.S. government
will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens from Ukraine.

The following resources provide helpful background on the current situation in
Ukraine:

 * UNICEF and the UN High Commission on Refugees – Unaccompanied and Separated
   Children Fleeing Escalating Conflict in Ukraine Must be Protected
 *  The National Council for Adoption has information - Regarding Refugee
   Children Fleeing the War in Ukraine
 * U.S. Agency for International Development - see the How You Can Help  section
   on USAID’s Ukraine Crisis webpage
 * International Social Services – Ukraine Crisis Fact Sheet (includes many
   other helpful links and resources

[READ MORE]

Q:  Can Ukrainian children come to the United States temporarily for their
safety?

The Office of Children’s Issues has received many inquiries from prospective
adoptive parents (PAPs) at all stages of the adoption process in Ukraine who are
understandably concerned about the safety of the children.   

Many families have previously hosted the child they wish to adopt and hope to
find a mechanism to bring the child to the United States until the crisis in
Ukraine resolves. We are also hearing from hosting organizations and other
humanitarian groups who seek information about how to bring Ukrainian children
to the United States outside of the intercountry adoption process.  Right now,
the situation in Ukraine is fluid. We are in touch with Ukrainian authorities
who have expressed concern about moving children out of Europe at this
point. Our understanding is that children may depart Ukraine with their legal
guardians, who are often the orphanage directors, if other required criteria are
met.

The Ukrainian government has confirmed they are not approving children to
participate in host programs at this time and are taking measures to ensure
their safety in neighboring countries. We are in close touch with the Ukrainian
government which confirms that most children have already been evacuated to
Poland or other neighboring countries and are receiving all appropriate care,
including specialized medical treatment, as necessary.     

Q:  Who is the primary point of contact for PAPs adopting in Ukraine?

PAPs should communicate primarily with their ASP throughout all stages of the
adoption process. ASPs are responsible for providing adoption services in
individual cases, are knowledgeable about the next steps for your adoption, have
contacts in Ukraine with whom they can consult, and are in frequent
communication with the Department’s Office of Children’s Issues. PAPs may also
contact the Office of Children’s Issues directly at Adoption@state.gov. PAPs who
do reach out to any U.S. government agency, the U.S. Embassy, or individuals in
Ukraine related to their adoption case should copy their ASP for awareness.

Q:  Can the State Department expedite the processing of Ukraine adoption cases?

The Government of Ukraine, through their Adoption Authority, has sole authority
for several aspects of the intercountry adoption process. The Department
requested the Government of Ukraine expedite processing for children with
finalized adoptions who need new documents or where the 30-day waiting period is
pending, as well as those where a specific court date to finalize the adoption
has been assigned. We also requested court hearings for these cases be conducted
virtually to allow for them to take place outside of Ukraine. At this time, most
government offices and courts are not open or able to conduct business, and we
do not know when adoption cases may be able to proceed.  

Q:  What if I have a final adoption order for my child but the judge did not
waive the 30-day waiting period before the child may depart Ukraine?

The Department requested the 30-day waiting period be waived in all cases but
has no ability to determine the decisions of individual judges. Adoptive parents
should contact their ASP for information and guidance specific to their
situation, including how to safely facilitate the child or children’s exit from
Ukraine. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland will process immigrant visa
applications for Ukrainian adopted children so they may immigrate to the United
States. ASPs are encouraged to work with their Ukrainian providers to facilitate
exit through the border with Poland where possible but should prioritize safety.

Q:  What if I have a final adoption order for my child but the child has not
been issued a new passport or birth certificate?

ASPs and their Ukrainian providers should collect all available documents for
the child’s adoption and immigration and ensure they transfer with the child. If
crossing by land from Ukraine to Poland, the child’s identification and
citizenship documents may be requested by Ukrainian and Polish authorities for
authorizing the child’s departure from Ukraine and entry to Poland. ASPs may
consult with the Office of Children’s Issues regarding what documents may be
required by the consular official at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw for specific
cases with final adoption orders.

The Department requested the Ukrainian government expedite issuance of new birth
certificates and passports for all adopted children that require them. We have
not received confirmation that this is possible. At this time, most government
offices and courts are not open or able to conduct business. We cannot predict
when they will re-open.

Not all children will require a new birth certificate or passport, especially if
the child’s name will not be changed or will be changed after arrival in the
United States. Many Ukrainian children living in orphanages already have a
passport; however, some may be “internal” passports invalid for international
travel. Children who have previously traveled to the United States usually have
international passports and may be able to use them to depart Ukraine.

Q:  What if I have started the adoption process and I have had one or more court
hearings, but additional hearings are required?

The Department requested adoption hearings be expedited and conducted virtually
whenever possible. However, the judge has sole discretion over this decision. At
this time, most government offices and courts are not open or able to conduct
business, and we are unable to track the operating status of each.

Q:  What if I have accepted an official referral from the Ministry of Social
Policy (MSP) but there have not yet been any court hearings, or I have rejected
a referral and not yet been offered another one? Can those cases be expedited?

The Department has not yet learned from the Ukraine Adoption Authority whether
it will be possible for adoption cases to proceed. Lengthy closures of
government and judicial offices are likely to continue for the foreseeable
future, and adoption cases are not likely to progress in the near term. The
Department is working closely with ASPs to track the status of all pending
adoption cases in Ukraine. PAPs should consult their ASP about how the current
security situation in Ukraine will impact their adoption plans in the short and
long term. 

Q:  What if I have started the adoption process but I have not yet received an
official referral from the Ministry of Social Policy (MSP)?  Can those cases be
expedited?

PAPs that have not yet received an official referral have not yet been approved
to adopt a child from Ukraine. The Department is unable to assist with these
cases.

Q:  Can the State Department facilitate the removal of children from Ukraine and
entry into another country for their safety for the remainder of the adoption
process?

Children without a final adoption or guardianship order generally need
authorization from their legal guardians in Ukraine to depart Ukraine in order
to apply in another country for a U.S. visa and for onward travel to the United
States. The Department is unable able to request such authorization on PAPs’
behalf.

We are in touch with Ukrainian authorities who have expressed concern about
moving children out of Europe at this point. Our understanding is that children
may depart Ukraine with their legal guardians, who are often the orphanage
directors, if other required criteria are met. The Ukrainian government has
confirmed they are not approving children to participate in host programs at
this time and are taking measures to ensure their safety in neighboring
countries.  Please see the Ukraine Adoption Notice, dated March 9, 2022, for
more information.

Q:  What if I am partway through the adoption process and the child’s orphanage
or another entity is able to get the child to Poland or another neighboring
country?  Will I be able to resume the intercountry adoption process from there?

Children without a final adoption or guardianship order are generally not
eligible for an adoption-based immigrant visa to the United States. Children in
the process of adoption without a final adoption or guardianship order are also
generally not eligible for issuance of a non-immigrant visa as they are
intending immigrants. Visa eligibility and adjudication is governed by U.S.
immigration laws, and State Department consular officers do not have the
authority to make exceptions to U.S. law. The Ukrainian government has confirmed
they are not approving children to participate in host programs at this time and
are taking measures to ensure their safety in neighboring countries. Please see
the Ukraine Adoption NoticeUkraine Adoption Notice, dated March 9, 2022, for
more information.

Q:  Is the State Department able to facilitate humanitarian parole for a child I
am in the process of adopting so that I may bring the child to the United
States?

Questions about humanitarian parole for Ukrainian children in institutional care
should be directed to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which
has jurisdiction over this issue. Information about the humanitarian parole
application process and refugee and asylum status is available on the USCIS
website.

Q:  What if I am in the process of adopting a child that has previously traveled
to the United States through a hosting program?  If the visa expiration date has
not yet passed will the child be able to enter the U.S.?

Children who travel to the United States for hosting programs do so with the
Ukrainian government's authorization and on a U.S. non-immigrant visa that is
typically valid only for one entry to the United States and only during the
narrow date range of the program. To travel to the United States again, a child
would need a new non-immigrant visa. Children in the process of intercountry
adoption without a final adoption or guardianship order are generally not
eligible for issuance of a non-immigrant visa as they are intending immigrants.
Visa eligibility and adjudication is governed by U.S. immigration laws, and
State Department consular officers do not have the authority to make exceptions
to U.S. law.

The Ukrainian government has confirmed they are not approving children to
participate in host programs at this time and are taking measures to ensure
their safety in neighboring countries. Please see the Ukraine Adoption Notice,
dated March 9, 2022, for more information.

Q:  What if I have previously hosted a child or children and now I am interested
in adopting them?

While many families that host a child through a hosting program subsequently
decide to pursue intercountry adoption, these are not intercountry adoption
cases unless or until the family has started the intercountry adoption process.
Although hosting programs are often referred to as "orphan hosting," not all of
the participating children are orphans under the Ukrainian laws that determine
eligibility for intercountry adoption or under U.S. laws that determine
eligibility to immigrate to the United States. The Ukrainian Adoption Authority
has authority for determining a child’s eligibility for adoption, and there is
also no guarantee you will be able to adopt a specific child, even if you have
previously hosted that child.

Persons interested in pursuing intercountry adoption are encouraged to visit the
Department’s website for more information about the intercountry adoption
process, including how to locate an ASP.

Q:  What if I am considering adoption or I know I am not in a position to adopt
a child but I would like to host a child so that they can leave Ukraine
temporarily while the country is at war?

We are receiving many inquiries from U.S. citizens concerned about the plight of
Ukrainian children. We share this concern for these children, and we understand
that some U.S. citizens want to respond by offering to open their homes and
adopt these children in need.

It can be extremely difficult in such circumstances to determine whether
children who appear to be orphans truly are eligible for adoption and
immigration under U.S. laws. Children may be temporarily separated from their
parents or other family members during a conflict or natural disaster and their
parents may be looking for them. It is not uncommon in dangerous situations for
parents to send their children out of the area, for safety reasons, or for
families to become separated during an evacuation. Even when it can be
demonstrated that a child’s parents have died, children are often cared for by
other relatives. Many children living in orphanages in Ukraine are not orphans.

During times of crisis, it can also be exceptionally difficult to fulfill the
legal requirements for intercountry adoption of both the United States and the
child’s country of origin. This is especially true when civil authority breaks
down. It can be very difficult to gather documents necessary to establish that
the child meets the requirements of U.S. immigration law, so persons interested
in adoption may wish to consult with an experienced immigration attorney and
take extra caution when considering adopting or caring for a child under these
circumstances. For context, you may wish to review the general procedural
information on our website about applying to adopt and immigrate a child from
another country to the United States. See in particular those sections
describing the U.S. immigrant visa process for an eligible adopted child.

The Department does not have a role in seeking approval for a child’s
participation in a hosting program, nor is there a special non-immigrant visa
category for children participating in these programs. The Ukrainian government
has confirmed they are not approving children to participate in host programs at
this time and are taking measures to ensure their safety in neighboring
countries. Please see the Ukraine Adoption Notice, dated March 9, 2022, for more
information.




LEARN MORE ABOUT INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION

 * About Adoption Service Providers

 * Adoption Process

 * Post Adoption

 * Adoptions from the United States

 * For Adoption Professionals

 * Country Information

 * Adoption Reference

Read all adoption news and notices

To ensure prompt receipt of Office of Children's Issues notices and
announcements regarding intercountry adoption, subscribe to our stakeholder
listserv. 



Contact us
Adoption FAQs and Publications

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