April 28, 2008
On April 21, 2008 the President of
Ukraine signed law #258–VІ, On
Legislative Amendments to Ukraine's Laws
(regarding adoptions). The Law came
into full effect on April 24, 2008 upon
its publication in the official
newspaper of Ukraine’s Parliament. This
new law introduces the following major
changes to current Ukrainian
legislation:
- The minimum age of prospective
adoptive parents 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.
Ukraine’s State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child will notify all the adoptive parents who will be affected by this law directly or through their local representatives.