Has anyone used

Remember your agency can't do the adoption in Ukraine, only a facilitator can do the adoption. Your agency charges you to find them and they act as a go between. That is what the agency fee is about. You do not need an agency unless you are more comfortable using one.dana

If I dont use an acency,do I just use a lawyer?

No only facilitators are allowed to work in Ukraine. There are some on the internet and some organizations that work with facilitators and help by checking over the dossier and getting you in contact with the facilitator for very little. His Kids Too! does that. They are in Ukraine now distributing supplies to the orphans so they may not respond fast to an email, but it is a place to start. Look up Ukraine facilitators then ask questions to see if anyone has used them. The higher the costs the more money under the table to move the adoption along (sometimes works) His Kids Too! gets you in touch with a Christian facilitator who will not pay under the table. The cost last year was 11,000 to adopt, not counting your homestudy, travel to Ukraine, food while you are there, does cover everything else. PM if you want more info.dana

You might want to wait to contract with an agency that wants you to initiate an adoption from Ukraine, unless you are specifically seeking an adoption of a special needs, older child over the age of 10 or a sibling of a child you have already adopted. Ukraine is closed to receiving new American dossiers except special needs, older children, and siblings of previously adopted children. American Citizens were not registering their children with the Ukraine Consulate after they returned home. I would not trust any agency that says that you can get around this moratorium -- there are already enough hurdles in any international adoption, don't go with a very high risk strategy or a promise that things will open up really soon.

I agree with max'smom! Even going independent, if you live in the US it is closed to you.

Ukraine will be opening early May 2006 for new dossiers.

Yes, in May Ukraine should start accepting dossiers/applications for Americans who want to adopt a child 10 years or older, a handicapped child or siblings of previously adopted children.