The following is a general overview of our independent Ukraine adoption process. We called this our "paper pregnancy".
Cathy Harris
~While exploring the idea of a foreign adoption, we emailed Cathy Harris on January 21, 2000. She sent several introduction emails explaining the process, expected costs and a list of what we needed to do to complete
an independent Ukraine adoption.
~After researching further on the Internet, consulting with family, checking references, and much prayer, we came to the decision to adopt from Ukraine with the help and guidance of Cathy. She signed us up for her email support group and we started the process with the INS.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
~Picked up our adoption application (I600A) at our local INS office. February 2000
~Gathered required documents, such as our birth certificates and marriage license. We had to send for these from 4 different states.
~Dropped off the adoption application (I600A) with all supporting documents except our completed homestudy to INS on February 17, 2000
~Received an appointment time to have our fingerprints taken by INS for FBI background check and we had this done
~Meanwhile, our homestudy was completed by our social worker and submited to our State capitol for review and they forwarded it to the INS.
~Awaited INS Approval
~Received INS Approval
Home Study
~Contacted a licensed social worker to perform our home study
~Gathered documents required by our social worker
~Met with the social worker at her office two times
~Social worker visited and inspected our home and met our other kids
~Awaited home study first draft completion
~Cathy Harris reviewed our completed home study
~Awaited home study final draft completion by the social worker
~Social worker submited home study to State who sent it to INS
Preparation
~During this time, we had passport photos taken and applied for passports
~Got medical letters about our physical condition from our physician
~Received appropriate vaccinations from the county travel clinic
Dossier
~Gathered remaining documents required for dossier (all notarized)
~Included INS Approval (form I-171H) and completed home study
~Faxed our dossier to Cathy for review
~Re-did some documents that needed minor adjustments
~Contacted our Ukraine facilitator that Cathy arranged for us and began making arrangements
~Hand delivered our dossier for "stamps" by our Secretary of State, these state stamps verify the validity of the local notaries signature.
~Made extra copies of our dossier before sending to Ukraine Embassy in Chicago
~FedEx'd our dossier to courier in Chicago who hand delivered it to one of the Ukraine Embassies in the United States. The Ukraine Embassy authenticated the validity of our State Stamp signature.
~At the time, states assigned to the Chicago Ukraine Embassy did not require your dossier to receive federal stamps by Madeline Albright the United States Secretary of State, authenticating our State Stamps, as they had all their assigned States, Secretary of States signatures on file there. This saved us a step that others not assigned to the Chicago embassy have to do.
~Same courrier in Chicago we sent our dossier to for Ukraine authentications sent our dossier to Ukraine to receive approval by the National Adoption Center in Kyiv
~When our dossier was received by Adoption Center, they forwarded it to our facilitator.
~Our facilitator submited our translated dossier to Adoption Center for approval
~We received approval from the Adoption Center to adopt the end of June
Travel Preparation
~First we awaited our INS approval
~Scheduled a travel date with our facilitator for July 8th, 2000
~Purchased plane tickets for travel date
~Earlier had sent request for visa applications from the Ukraine Embassy in Chicago
~At that time, a letter of invitation also had to be secured from Ukraine. A travel agency suggested by Cathy Harris did this for us.
~Submitted letter of invitation, completed visa applications and our passports to Ukraine Embassy in Chicago.
~Recieved visa within passports from the Ukraine Embassy in Chicago
~Purchased gifts to bring, shopped for travel items, prepared our home
Travel
~Traveled to Ukraine on Northwest and KLM Airlines, met at airport by our facilitator and translator. Saturday, July 8, 2000 - arrived July 9, 2000
~They brought us to our hotel and this is when we paid our translator his fee.
~Visited Ukraine Adoption Center in Kyiv to review information on available children. Monday, July 10, 2000
~Traveled to Kramatorsk, the region the Adoption Center referred us to. Drove overnight arrived Tuesday, July 11, 2000
~Visited city's Municipal Counsel to receive permission to visit orphanage
~Went to orphanage and met the available children. Tuesday, July 11, 2000
~Signed papers to adopt our son, got them notarized, etc. Wednesday,
July 12, 2000
~Went to Ukrainian court to legalize adoption. Friday, July 14, 2000
~Remained in Ukraine while waiting the 10 days for adoption to be finalized
~During those 10 days, we got our child's original and new birth certificate with our names on it.
~Applied for his Ukraine passport, photos taken for passport and visa.
~Returned to Kyiv with our son
~Returned to National Adoption Center for director's signature on documents and introduced her to our son
~Visited Ukraine Hospital for the physical required to enter United States
~Visited American Embassy in Kiev for authentications of Ukrainian documents which were translated into English by our translator. This embassy is not authorized to handle the granting of United States visa's for orphans.
~Flew to American Embassy in Warsaw, Poland to apply for his American visa, they also process several neighboring countries in addition to Ukraine.
~Toured Warsaw an extra two days, unable to get an earlier flight
~Returned home with our new son July 29, 2000. 3 weeks to the day
Additional Paperwork Upon Return
~Checked in with INS at point of entry to United States at the airport, who then mailed us his "Green Card"
~Registered him with the Ukraine Embassy in Chicago by mailing his Ukraine passport to them.
~They returned his passport with an official Ukraine stamp.
~Sent a copy of this to the National Adoption Center in Kyiv
~We will need to submit annual updates on our son per agreement with Ukraine about his overall well being, health, development, progress in school, photos, etc.
~Applied for social security card
~Applied for state adoption reimbursements for non re-accuring expenses.
~Filled out adoption tax forms for a one time adoption federal tax credit
~We would have had to apply for United States citizenship but legislation was enacted that made him an automatic citizen since we are US citizens. This occurred on February 27th, 2000.
~He must maintain his Ukraine citizenship until his 18th birthday. He may then maintain duel citizenship or give up his Ukraine citizenship.
*This overview was adapted from the overview posted on AdoptUkraine.com. Thanks Anna!
