Step 1. Apply for a new birth certificate. Your names will be added to the new one. You must provide the court decree and the child's original Ukrainian birth certificate. Make a copy of the original because it will not be returned.
Step 2. Apply to the Office of Visas and Registration for a Ukrainian passport for the child. You must present a written and notarized request that the travel document be issued. Also include the new birth certificate, final court decree and four passport photos of the child. Issuance of the passport takes at least 10 days following the submission of the application. A special stamp will be placed on the passport showing that the child is departing for permanent residence abroad. This stamp is mandatory.
Note: the name will be translated from Ukrainian to English. It may be spelled differently. This difference should not be a problem as long as the child's name in Ukrainian on the court decree is the same as the name on the travel documents.
Step 3. Apply for a U.S. visa from the United States Embassy. Visit the Embassy for final review and approval of the child's I-600 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. The Consular officer must be provided with "Panel Physician's" medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage.
Updated: December 2008
SOURCE: Office of Children's Issues, United States Department of State Web site
