Did the court allow a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer to adopt his stepdaughter, whom he has been raising since she was 5 years old – case details
The Zbarazh District Court satisfied the application of a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer to adopt his minor stepdaughter.
Case circumstances
On May 7, 2026, the Zbarazh District Court of Ternopil region considered the case on the application of a serviceman to adopt a minor child.
The applicant applied to the court requesting to adopt his minor stepdaughter, born in 2009, who was born in Naples, Italy. The applicant has been married to the child's mother since 2014 and together they raise the wife's minor daughter as well as their common son.
According to the applicant, since the first meeting with the child when she was three years old, a strong and warm family relationship has developed between them. The child calls him father, he treats her as his own daughter, provides financial support, participates in upbringing, development, and creating proper living conditions for her. The biological father of the child is deceased. The child's mother gave notarized consent for the adoption. The minor herself, who was 16 years old at the time of the case consideration, also expressed the desire to be adopted and confirmed that she considers the applicant her father.
The applicant is an active officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a combatant, has a stable income, a positive character reference, and the necessary living conditions to raise the child. The guardianship and care authority of the Zbarazh City Council provided a conclusion stating that the adoption is appropriate and fully corresponds to the child's interests.
Court decision
The Zbarazh District Court of Ternopil region fully satisfied the adoption application.
The court ruled:
To declare the applicant, a native of Kushlyn village, Kremenets district, Ternopil region, the adopter of the minor child born in Naples, Italy.
After the adoption, the adopted child's surname shall remain unchanged.
The adoption is considered completed from the date the court decision comes into legal force.
The court established that the applicant fulfilled all conditions stipulated by the Family Code of Ukraine for adoption, is capable of providing stable and harmonious conditions for the child's life, health, and development. The adoption is carried out exclusively in the best interests of the child, taking into account her consent, the mother's consent, the conclusion of the guardianship and care authority, as well as the existence of strong family ties between the adopter and the child.
The court's decision is based on the provisions of Articles 207, 208, 211, 217, 218, 220, 224, 225, and other articles of the Family Code of Ukraine.
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