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Hello everyone!
Once I saw a thread with such a title, the author was a woman and was looking for the answers to her questions.
So am I. I also need some advices, but not from the emotional point of view. I`m ready to adopt, I want to be a father for a 5 years girl, as well as my wife wants to become a mother. We consider about this option from the countries in the Eastern Europe, specifically from Poland or Ukraine, as we are not interested in interracial adoption.
We would like to know where to start in case of international adoption. Maybe someone has his or her own experience and stories to share with? What do you know about these countries and their legislations? Some agencies to deal with?
Last update on April 4, 2:40 am by Jacob Parker.
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A good place for factual information is the adoption website of the U.S. State Department, at adoption.state.gov. When you are on that site, find the drop-down box of country information on the right side of the page, and click on "Poland" or "Ukraine". When you get to the right page, click on the box marked "Expand All", and you will see information about the characteristics of the available children, the requirements for parents, the timetable, the process, and so on. You will also learn whether a country has ratified the Hague Convention on international adoption, or not, because that will tell you which form you need to use to get preliminary USCIS approval of your fitness to bring a child to the U.S.
Do be aware that, with Ukraine, children under age six are almost never adoptable. In fact, if you submit a dossier that approves you only for healthy children under age six, it may be returned to you by Ukraine's government. If you are open to children with moderate special needs, you may be able to adopt a younger child. Be aware that Ukraine is committed to finding homes for children with moderate to severe special needs, and for older school aged children, who are least likely to find homes domestically. While not all parents have this experience, at least some families who travel to identify children from books kept in a Ukrainian government office report being shown, at least at first, only books containing children with severe or multiple special needs.
When you first travel to go through books of adoptable children in a Ukrainian government office, you will not be allowed to have a private agency representative, facilitator, or translator accompany you; Ukraine will provide a translator. Once you have identified some children to meet, and are traveling around Poland to meet them, you may bring an agency representative, facilitator, or translator with you. If you don't find a child in the books or on visits, you are welcome to go home and wait for Ukraine to grant you another chance to find and adopt a child. You may make up to three visits. Remember that, when you get to an orphanage, if you don't feel that you can parent the child you selected at the Ukrainian government office, you will NOT be shown other children from that orphanage, and will not be permitted to request a child whom you may meet while touring the facility.
With regard to Poland, be aware that one of the three social welfare organizations allowed to place children with adoptive parents in the U.S. will accept only Catholic families. Also, there tends to be a strong preference for families of Polish heritage. In addition, be aware that most of the children have been removed from their biological families by the government, for reasons such as abuse or neglect; there are few voluntary relinquishments. This may affect the emotional wellbeing of the adoptable children. In addition, you will have a better chance of being referred a young child if you are open to special needs, as children with special needs are less likely to find homes domestically. Unlike with Ukraine, you will get a referral prior to travel, so you will have time to let an adoption medicine specialist review referral documents to see if there are any obvious conditions that you may not feel comfortable accepting, and to investigate resources available in your community to meet a child's needs.
Sharon
Hi, I don’t know about Ukraine, as we consider adoption from India (interracial family isn’t a problem for us). I also used to have a lot of doubts. I think it’s natural. However, the main thing is a mutual decision of a spouse to adopt. You know, one of my friends wants to adopt, but her dh doesn’t. this is a problem.
In your case, I think there’s nothing to worry about. It’s quite possible to adopt a 5+ child internationally, so good luck.
thank you Sharon for your detailed comment. I will use this information
as far as I understand, it`s not so easy as I could imagine
Let me join this thread.
Sharon, thnaks for sharing your ideas on adoption from Eastern Europe. You sound so experienced in this question. have you adopted from Ukraine or Poland?
my oh and I are intended adopters having zero background in this issue so need some guidance.
Jacob, have you alreayd taken the final decision? just curious
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I would recommend going to 3 or 4 Placement Agency Webinar or Orientations and asking your questions to them??
Both countries are rigid and tough processings.
Adoption is ' an emotional rollercoaster ride, ' ' highly analytical procision or precision, ' and ' highly a checks and balances in what you do!! '
Just because you want a Family. Does not mean that it may actually happen the way that you want it or plan for as Parents and or a Family!!
Can we ask what ya'll expectations are in a Family please??