Bulgarian program info from; An Open Door Adoption Agency

Bulgaria Adoption Process: The adoption process in Bulgaria offers a number of advantages over other Eastern European programs. First, it offers the opportunity to receive a referral prior to traveling to the country. Very young children may be adopted – from one year to older children and siblings. There is no upper age limit for adoptive parents, and travel to the country is two trips of seven and ten days respectively. The first trip is to meet the child and the second to complete the adoption. The process begins with an application and supporting documents (a “dossier”) which the Bulgarian government uses to approve potential adoptive parents. Once approved, the family enters the Register of Candidate Adoptive Parents, a waiting list for a child of the requested age. Current waiting times by age are estimated to be: Age 3 or less: 1 -2 years Up to age 5: 1 year & 6 months Up to age 7: 6 to 12 months Above age 7: 2 to 6 months Sp.needs/health prob: 6-12 months As a child becomes available for the prospective adoptive parent/s, the Ministry of Justice will offer a referral of a child, including: personal information about the child: name and ID, health, ethnic, religious and cultural background, special needs, adoptability, family background and information about the birth parents and other family members including and reasons for abandonment and a photo. Bulgaria indicates that all adoptable children have some special need, although it may be mild or correctable. Families may specify a list of special needs they are willing to consider. After a referral is selected, and the match is approved, an invitation to travel will be issued to the adoptive parent/s. A brief trip of seven days will then be made to meet the selected child, and after that another trip for 10 days is required to complete the adoption process. Our Bulgarian representative, an indigenous Bulgarian agency which is Hague Accredited by Bulgaria, will escort the adoptive parent/s throughout the adoption process. Communication with our representative is excellent and the Bulgarian process is very well defined as a politically stable and Hague country. Adoptions are expected to proceed smoothly. We will be happy to assist you in this search for your child. If you feel led to adopt internationally, you can be assured that the Lord will lead you to the right child for your family. Thank you for your interest and for contacting An Open Door Adoption Agency. Please feel free to contact us at 229-228-6339 with any questions you may have. Adoption Process Application Service Agreement Home Study US CIS Approval Dossier sent to Bulgaria Adoptable children are over 1 year of age Waiting time varies with child’s age Two trips: the first is for 7 days and the second for 10 days. Adoptive Parent Criteria No upper age limit for adoptive parents Couples must be married 2 1/2 years Previous divorce is acceptable You may select the age and gender of the child. You may have other children The Agency seeks Christian adoptive parents