The Ukrainian orphan Elton John is planning to adopt wasn’t allowed to go with him and his partner David Furnish home.

A Ukrainian family minister said Monday that the singer and his longtime partner cannot bring the child home due to a national law that prohibits unmarried couples from adopting.

John and Furnish entered into a civil partnership on December 21, 2005 – the first day such unions became legal in England.

Elton John met the Ukrainian toddler named Lev while he toured an orphanage where many of the kids’ parents died from AIDS. The 62-year-old singer said, “Having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don’t know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David’s heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home.”

Unfortunately for Elton John, Ukrainian laws are strict when it comes to adoption. John has two problems to deal with: same-sex couples aren’t allowed to adopt and parents cannot be more than 45 years older than the child. The only hope left for the singer is a presidential dispensation to take 14-month-old Lev back to England, but should Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko do grant Elton John and Furnish the chance to adopt the child, the couple needs to adopt Lev’s brother, who is also in the orphanage.