Bulgaria Program

Bulgaria – The Country
Bulgaria is a small country bordering the Black Sea with a population of almost 9 million. It is an independent, democratic republic. The primary religions of Bulgaria are Bulgarian Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, and Roman Catholic. Ethnically its native people are Bulgarian, Turkish, Gypsy, Macedonian, Armenian and Russian. It is a beautiful, historical, cultural, country low in crime.

Why Choose to Adopt in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s population and government have a good attitude about adoption and are regarded as cooperative. Bulgaria and the United States have good diplomatic relations. Compared to other countries of Eastern Europe, Bulgaria has an above average health care system, no food shortages (indicating good nutrition) and a good education.

Who Can Adopt From Bulgaria?
Only married couples and single women may adopt healthy children or children with special needs from Bulgaria. Couples must be married at least 1 year. Divorce is acceptable. Adoptive parents should be at least 15 years older than the child they wish to adopt.

Children Available
The most common ages of children referred in the non-special needs program are between 2-7 years. The older the child requested, the shorter the wait. There are more boys available than girls. The wait for a child up to 3 years is 3 years. The wait for a child 3-5 years is 2 years. The wait for a child 5-8 years is 1 year. The wait for a child 8-10 years is apprx. 6 months. Children over 10 years the wait is apprx. 2 months. The wait time for a child referral depends on the family’s preference and the number of children available at that time. There is a special needs list of waiting child which will decrease length of wait. Sibling groups are also available.

Bulgarian Adoption Process
Please remember this is a Pilot Program and the process can change.

1.   Apply to Hands Across The Water for services.

2.   Complete your Home Study with Hands Across The Water or an appropriate agency in your state. Please contact HATW for assistance if you live outside of Michigan.

3.   File your I-800A with the USCIS.

4.   Prepare your dossier for Bulgaria. HATW can do this for you or you can take this on yourself.

5.   Dossier is sent to country and submitted to Ministry of Justice, FNA. Dossier is enrolled in Registry.

6.   Adoption Council matches family to appropriate child.

7.   Travel to meet the child and accept or decline the referral. 6-7 days. Should you accept, the adoption process starts.

8.   Travel for 2nd trip to pick up child. 6-10 days.

Post Adoption Supervision
Your child’s adoption is finalized in Bulgaria, but a minimum of four post adoption reports are still required. The frequency and number is subject to change.