Bulgaria Program and Waiting Child Newsletter

Bulgaria is a beautiful, mountainous country located on the Black Sea. The country transitioned from a Communist government to a democracy in 1991. 

Bulgaria utilizes state-run orphanages, and all of the children Agape Adoptions works with live in these institutions. 

All adoptions from Bulgaria are completed in accordance with the Hague Convention on inter country adoption. More information can be found here. 

THE CHILDREN

Most of the children who are available for adoption have diagnosed medical needs. 

Both boys and girls are available (more boys than girls), as well as sibling groups.

Children are of Eastern European and Roma descent. Families may not choose a child according to ethnicity.

Families interested in adopting a healthy child under the age of three must expect that the wait time is approximately three years. “Healthy” is considered a child with no known medical diagnosis, however families must be prepared for needs related to institutionalization.

Age

Applicants must be at least 25 years old and at least 15 years older than the child they desire to adopt.

Marriage Status

Married couples and heterosexual single applicants (both men and women) may adopt from Bulgaria. Bulgaria does not permit same sex couples to adopt.

Criminal History

Applicants with a criminal history of child abuse, violence, domestic violence or termination of parental rights are not eligible to adopt.

Health Conditions

Applicants must be healthy with no serious, chronic transmissible diseases (HIV positive, venereal disease, tuberculosis, etc.) or other life-threatening illnesses.

Income

Families must have an annual income of at least $30,000. Families must meet the income requirements provided by the USCIS in order for the adopted child to immigrate.

PROCESS & TIMELINE

1. Complete adoption application for preliminary approval by Agape Adoptions.
2. Complete adoption home study report (generally about 3-4 months to complete).
3. Assemble, notarize, and submit dossier documents to Agape Adoptions.
4. Submit and file immigration documents with the USCIS office Upon completion, Agape Adoptions will submit the dossier to our partner agency in Bulgaria, Our Family, for further processing for a referral.  (Healthy child referrals: 24-36 months from dossier submission; special needs child referrals: 3-12 months from dossier submission) 
5. Additional immigration paperwork and travel
6. Bulgaria requires four post adoption reports to be filed - at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months home.

Families must make two trips to complete their adoption. The first trip occurs two to three months after the dossier is sent to Bulgaria and requires about one week in country. Both parents must travel. 

The second trip is for U.S. processing and the visa process, lasting 7-10 days. Only one parent must travel on the second trip. There are four to six months between trips.

FEES

All fees are based on two adoptive parents and one adopted child

Total Agency Fees: $6500

Total application, parent education, dossier and other paperwork  processing fees:  $2650

Total USCIS, Department of State and IAAME Fees: $1695 

Total Home Study and Post Placement Fees: $5390

    Home Study ($1900) 

    Post Adoption fees ($375 per report) 

Additional mileage and travel fees may be incurred for families located more than 100 miles from the main office, or city center of Spokane, Portland or Anchorage.

Home Study Review Fee, for families completing their home study with another agency: $550

Total Estimated Travel Fees: $4,000-$6900 (per trip) 

Total International Service Fee: $6800-$9100 depending on fee reductions and exchange rate for Euros. 

Total estimated in country fees for child’s adoption processing and child’s visa fee: $525 

Total estimated adoption expenses  (plus cost of a second adoption trip) $27,510- $33,450 

A detailed  fee schedule is available upon  request