Here is official news from the US Embassy on the Ukrainian adoption law changes.

Everyone still is uncertain about how Ukraine is going to enforce the maximum age difference between parent and child. Does it apply to the youngest parent or oldest parent?

I am mainly hearing that the oldest parent cannot be more then 45 years older then the child.

Earlier I heard that this bill becomes law in May... but now I am hearing it may be next week.

All I know is that I won't be adopting my second child from Ukraine. I am single.

About 15% of Ukrainian adoptions were done by single men and women from 1996 to 2005. Very few singles adopted in 2006. And I have only heard of 2 single women adopting in 2007.

----- Original Message ----
From: "Kyiv, Adoptions"
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 8:24:15 AM
Subject: Public Notice - Legislative Amendments to Ukraine's Laws (Regarding Adoptions)


Dear Members of the American Adoption Community Interested in Ukraine:

On March 20, 2007 the Parliament of Ukraine passed bill #2562 On Legislative Amendments to Ukraine's Laws (regarding adoptions). The bill will come into effect after the President's approval and its publication in the official newspaper of Ukraine's Parliament. This process can take at least one week. This bill introduces the following major changes to current Ukrainian legislation:

- The minimum age of prospective adoptive parent must be at least 21 years old;
- The maximum age difference between adoptive parents and adopted children cannot exceed 45 years;
- Unmarried foreign citizens cannot adopt Ukrainian children.

The final text of this bill will be available after its official publication.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Adoption Unit/Immigrant Visa Section
Consular Section
American Embassy
Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel: 38-044-4904422
Fax: 38-044-490-4570
Kyivadoptions @ state . gov
http://kyiv.usembassy.gov/amcit_adoptions_eng.html
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