Bulgaria Adoptions
Introduction
Bulgaria is a beautiful, mountainous country located on the Black Sea. The country transitioned from a Communist government to a democracy in 1991.
All adoptions from Bulgaria are completed in accordance with the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption through the Bulgarian Adoption Authority, the Ministry of Justice. More information can be found here.
Agape Adoptions hosts monthly virtual information meetings for those interested in adopting through our programs.
Eligibility
Citizenship
One adoptive parent must be a US citizen.
Age
Applicants must be at least 25 years old to adopt, at least 15 years older than the child they hope to adopt and the youngest parent must be no more than 50 years older than the child they seek to adopt.
Marriage Status
Married couples and 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.
Children in Home
No requirements regarding the number of children in the home
About the Children
About the Children
Bulgarian children who are available for adoption have diagnosed medical needs or are part of a sibling group. Most children are over the age of two, but children of all ages with special needs are in need of families. Children with Down syndrome are usually under 5 years old. Families can also be matched with children under 5 years with minor to moderate medical special needs.
Both boys and girls are available, as well as sibling groups.
The majority of children in need of permanent families live in foster homes. There are four large government run orphanages in Bulgaria where children reside as well.
Children are of Eastern European and Roma descent. Families considering adopting from Bulgaria may not choose a child according to ethnicity.
Process & Timeline
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
There are two ways children are matched with families:
A family completes their adoption paperwork (including application to Agape Adoptions, home study, USCIS approval, and dossier) and submits it to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, noting the special needs they feel they are able to parent, for a referral. Families usually receive a referral of a child that meets their approval parameters in less than a year. The majority of children with minor to moderate special needs are matched with families in this process. This includes children who have: mild mental delays, mild hydrocephaly, Down syndrome, mild Cerebral Palsy, mild Epilepsy, speech delays, and sibling group of 3 (ages 5-9 years).
A family sees and reviews the file of a child listed on the Waiting Child database and submits initial documents to Agape Adoptions and the Ministry of Justice for preliminary approval and matching. The family has six months to submit their dossier. Adoptions utilizing this process are often completed seven to nine months after a family submits their dossier.
Learn more about the process, timeline, eligibility requirements and more about adopting from Bulgaria in our General Information Packet.
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel and Bonding Periods
When adopting from Bulgaria, families must make two trips to complete their adoption. Bulgaria is a lovely, enjoyable Eastern European country to travel to. In country teams assist families each step of the way and provide support, translation and guide services during the stay.
The first trip occurs two to three months after the dossier is sent to Bulgaria and requires about one week in country. The trips includes daily weekday visits with the child(ren) for bonding. Both parents must travel.
The second trip occurs 4 - 6 months later and is for U.S. processing and the visa process, lasting 7-12 days. The child(ren) come into the family’s care at the beginning of the trip and families will attend important appointments to complete visa and finalization paperwork. Only one parent must travel on the second trip.
Post adoption requirements
Bulgaria requires six post adoption reports to be completed at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months.
Fees
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Fees
Families should budget approximately
$32,000-$39,000 to cover the costs of completing an adoption from Bulgaria, which includes travel fees.
Agape Adoptions can provide a detailed fee schedule via email.
Families working with Agape Adoptions will be able to utilize the services of Your Adoption Finance Coach to help with funding your adoption.