The Ministry of Justice in Bulgaria adheres strictly to the principle that their job is to find parents for children in need, and not the other way around. Because of this, adoption applications are not handled in chronological order. Applications for special-needs children are given priority, and the wait times are considerably shorter. A child with special needs is defined as a child with significant health issues or a child over seven years of age.
For more up-to-date information on how to adopt from Bulgaria, visit the Bulgaria Adoption page on the U.S. State Department’s website. Get parent-to-parent advice and support in the Bulgaria Adoptive Families group in our online community, Adoptive Families Circle.
Bulgaria Adoption Fast Facts
- 2015 Adoptions: 185 children
- Hague Country: Yes
- Estimated Total Cost: $30,000 to $40,000
- Profile of Children: 51% of children are older than 5 years old. 54% are boys(2014).
- Parent Ages: Parents must be at least 15 years older than the adoptive child.
- Family Status: Heterosexual married couples and singles of any sexual orientation may adopt.
- Travel: Parents must spend five days with the child before the orphanage director will release the child.
- Timeline: The time frame is unpredictable, and can range from several months to several years.
Related Articles About Bulgaria Adoption
- “Personal Story: “The Moment I Became a Mother”: A mother reflects on how she and her daughter met as strangers and grew to become family.
- “How Jesse Learned to Play”: A little boy adjusts to his new life in America, after living in an orphanage in Bulgaria.
