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 FORMED
Four families will be making their second trip to Bulgaria this spring to unite with their children and bring them home!
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
At midnight on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, Bulgarian people gather at their churches with red painted eggs and bread. We are wishing our friends in Bulgaria a fun, happy Easter!
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Our team has been busy coordinating travel for families to meet their children. We praise God for His faithfulness in unifying families!
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. Last year, all of the children adopted through AGCI’s Bulgaria program were 2 years old at the time of placement. Additionally, 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.
- AGCI places children in Bulgaria through the MOJ registration process and by advocating for waiting children.
- Timeframe: 1-5 years.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting kids.
Meet Zane
Meet Hansel
Meet Ruben
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM BULGARIA?
Age of Parents
Parents between the ages of 23 and 49 years old may adopt a child older than 12 months. Parents who are 50 to 55 years old may adopt a child who is 5 years or older. Parents must be at least 15 years older than the child they adopt.
Marital Status
Couples married at least one year are welcome to adopt. Each spouse may have up to two divorces. If there is a history of divorce, the current marriage must be more than two years.
Single Applicant
Single women may adopt.
Children in Family
Families with five or fewer children are welcome to adopt from Bulgaria.
Income
Families interested in adopting a child must have a positive net worth and an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants interested in adopting a child cannot have a history of felonies and no more than two misdemeanors in their lifetime.
Medical History
Applicants who have a past or current diagnosis of a life-threatening or communicable disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent are ineligible to adopt.
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. (Due at application)
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. (1/2 due with completion of contract and 1/2 due six months after contract)
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. (Due with completion of orientation)
POST-ADOPTION SERVICE: This fee allows us to provide post-adoption support services to your family and process post-adoption reports. (Due with completion of referral packet)
*If adopting siblings, agency and orphan care fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover our services in preparing and completing your adoption home study, including any applicable social worker travel costs. (Due with completion of orientation)
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for AGCI to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. (Due with completion of referral packet)
*These fees may vary if payable to your home study agency for families living outside of AGCI’s licensed states.
NON-AGCI HOME STUDY REVIEW: Any home study written by one of AGCI’s cooperating agencies 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.
AGCI is accredited to complete home studies in Oregon, Ohio, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana.
“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
Complete home study and dossier.
Wait to be matched with your child and then begin the referral process.
After completing the referral process, both 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.
Once the adoption is finalized, your family will travel a second time to Bulgaria for 11 days to bring your child home.
Welcome home! AGCI and Bulgaria require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. Parents are also required to complete their state’s re-adoption process. Parents are also required to complete their state’s re-adoption process. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at anytime 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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