How to Adopt From Bulgaria
“We so enjoyed the professionalism of AGCI. Our Adoption Advisor was so prompt, conscientious, and honest during the entire process. We didn't know what to expect because it was our first adoption, and it was a wonderful experience.”
How to Adopt From Bulgaria
FOREVER FAMILIES
Four children have come home with their forever families so far in 2023! We praise God for the love of forever families!
OFFICIAL REFERRALS
We are thrilled to have had seven official adoption referrals so far this year in Bulgaria! We believe these referrals will lead to loving forever families for vulnerable children!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Happy Independence Day to our friends in Bulgaria and to all that are celebrating!
Bulgaria Adoption Overview
As Bulgaria moves towards placing more children into foster care while they wait for their forever families, AGCI supports this transition by ensuring that the children still in institutions receive the best possible care. AGCI has improved orphan care in government orphanages through food and nutrition support, supplying diapers, clothing, and bedding, and providing donations for increasing the caregiver ratio. This elevated care helps children thrive while they wait for their forever families!
Since 1991, Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International has placed over 620 Bulgarian orphans with their forever families. There are so many grants available to help make adoption an affordable option—over the past two years, families adopting through AGCI’s Bulgaria Adoption Program have received over $104,838 in adoption grants.
- Waiting children available for adoption are between the ages 2 to 14 years old. Sibling groups are waiting as well.
- Adoption timelines can vary depending on an adoptive family’s openness to factors such as gender, age, and medical conditions.
- Each month we receive information from Bulgaria about waiting children for whom we can advocate.
- Families adopting from our Bulgaria adoption program can select the gender of their adopted child.
- AGCI places children in Bulgaria through the MOJ registration process and by advocating for waiting children.
- Timeframe: 1-5 years. Timeframe is from registered dossier to completion. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting kids.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM BULGARIA?
Age of Parents
Married couples and single women between the ages of 23 and 55 years old may adopt a child older than 12 months. Parents over the age of 55 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and can be considered to adopt children 8 and older.
Marital Status
Couples married at least one year are welcome to adopt. If there is a history of divorce, the current marriage must be at least 2 years. Each spouse may have up to two divorces.
Children in Family
Couples with five or fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from Bulgaria.
Income
Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants cannot have a history of violent crimes or crimes against children. Applicants with a criminal history will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Medical History
Applicants cannot have a past or current diagnosis of a communicable and/or life-threatening disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basi55
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM BULGARIA?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.
U.S. AGENCY*: The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in both the United States and foreign country. Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state, federal, and international licensing and accreditations, communications and insurance.
PROGRAM FEE*: This fee provides care for orphans around the world and allows AGCI to provide the medical, emotional, spiritual, and developmental care that every child deserves.
POST-ADOPTION SERVICE: This fee allows us to provide post-adoption support services to your family and process post-adoption reports.
*If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
HOME STUDY REVIEW: All home studies will be reviewed by AGCI to ensure it meets all AGCI, USCIS, Hague, and sending country criteria. Home study and Post Adoption service fees are paid to your cooperating agency. (Due with completion of orientation)
BULGARIA COUNTRY FEES & EXPENSES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in Bulgaria. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption. (Due with completion of dossier and referral packet as indicated on fee schedule)
ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES
Fee Disclosure: All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
“We enjoyed working with AGCI. The staff was very helpful, efficient, and knowledgeable. They were always available and patient when we had questions.”
–Leah and Loren Martin
How to Adopt a Child From Bulgaria
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.
STEP TWO
Once your dossier is registered, the Central Authority places families on their waiting list until a child is referred. Once information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.
STEP THREE
After completing the referral process, parents must travel to meet your child for a bonding trip of 5-7 days. After meeting your child in Bulgaria, the adoption will be finalized through the Bulgarian court system.
STEP FOUR
Once the adoption is finalized, parents will travel a second time to Bulgaria for 11 days to bring your child home.
STEP FIVE
Welcome home! AGCI and Bulgaria require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!
Staff
BULGARIA IN-COUNTRY TEAM
We work directly with Vesta, an agency in Bulgaria to facilitate all adoptions as well as assess the different needs within orphanages. Milena has served as part of our dedicated team and Vesta for 10+ years!
Policy
AGCI created a pathway to family for 8,019 orphans in 157 institutions by introducing a new model for inter-country adoption.
Prevent
AGCI supports vulnerable working families through a daycare fund which provides much needed training and care for children with medical conditions.
Provide
4,282 orphans received elevated care through our holistic model, caretaker trainings, and facility improvements to orphanages.
Prevent
In the last year, AGCI supported 138 aging out orphans with vocational training programs.
“When we adopted Elli, I had such a firm answer from God that I was doing the right thing. A negative thought or worry didn’t enter my mind at the time.”
–Edwin Dixon
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM BULGARIA!
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