Can someone living in the UK adopt a child from Ukraine?

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Living in Britain does not allow someone to collect a child from Ukraine independently and arrange adoption later. Ukrainian government guidance checked on 7 October 2026 states that, during martial law, adoption by foreigners and Ukrainian citizens temporarily or permanently living abroad is not carried out. It identifies the State Service of Ukraine for Children as the initial Ukrainian authority for such enquiries. Dity.gov.ua: official contacts and restrictions ↗.

Have the actual circumstances checked officially

Explain citizenship, usual residence, relationship to the child and the child's location to a British adoption agency and the competent Ukrainian authority. A relative, existing case or child residing abroad needs an individual assessment of the applicable procedure. Do not infer an exception from general wording or an intermediary's promise.

Do not send documents or money to someone promising accelerated wartime adoption. Obtain written confirmation of a permitted route from the official authorities first.

Account for British habitual residence

If normally or habitually resident in the UK, you must follow British adoption law even when temporarily abroad. In England and Wales, start through the council or an agency handling overseas adoption. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate processes. Obtain independent legal advice where residence is uncertain. GOV.UK: overseas adoption ↗.

The ordinary process includes assessment, central-authority checks, origin-country documents, possible court stages and separate child entry-clearance requirements. A Ukrainian order alone does not resolve every British requirement.

Distinguish adoption from temporary care

Guardianship, fostering, temporary placement and accommodating an evacuated child have different purposes and legal effects. They should not be treated as assumed ways around restrictions. Official Ukrainian guidance separately explains the process for children evacuated from institutions and restrictions affecting overseas candidates. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ↗.

Budget only after the route is confirmed

At the checking date, GOV.UK lists a £2,500 DfE processing fee excluding legalisation, notarisation and translations. This is neither the total adoption cost nor permission to begin a Ukrainian case now. Agency, legal, travel and other UK nations' procedures have separate charges. GOV.UK: fees ↗.

Do not book travel for a child's handover before official decisions. Retain authorities' replies and recheck restrictions before each further stage.