The time frame involved in adopting a child is comprised of many parts. Every adoption involves acquiring documents, filling out forms, scheduling and writing of the home study, waiting for a child assignment, and the processing of documents. The adoption agency actually has control over only a few of these elements. The rest depends upon the adoptive parents and the government agencies involved. Also, the time involved can change from one month to the next depending upon a variety of factors: government changes, the number of children needing families and the number of families who are currently in process to adopt, and the profile of child requested to adopt. We estimate it may take 18-24 months from the date the dossier is filed with the Bulgarian authorities to the referral of a child for a child age 3-5 years. The length of time you wait for a referral may be significantly reduced if you are open to a child of either gender, a child older than 5 years, and/or a child with medical conditions.

Married couples and singles, age 30-55 years. The older the parent, generally the older the child the family will be referred. Bulgaria has no requirement regarding the length of marriage or prior divorces, but instead looks at the strength of the current marriage and relationship history. We recommend a minimum of 2 years of marriage. Also eligible are families with up to 4 children at home and $30,000 minimum annual income.

Yes, however if you would like to adopt a young child your openness to either gender may shorten your waiting time. Currently the wait for boys is shorter.

While boys, girls, and sibling groups as young as 24 months may be referred, most children will likely be older than 3 years at the time of referral. Children come with a rich ethnic background: Bulgarian, Turkish, Armenian and others. Health conditions vary. Children may have mild correctable medical conditions. Even healthy children generally have experienced some malnutrition and developmental delay. Special needs children are available.

Children are abandoned by their birth parents and brought by local authorities to the Orphanage care. These children remain under the guardianship of the government orphanage until time of adoption.

While children can be as young as 3 years at the time of referral, children of all ages need homes. Families are encouraged to consider as broad an age range as they feel prepared to parent. We expect a large need for families open to adopting children of either gender between the ages of 4-7 years at the time of referral, due to adoptions slowing for several years, and children continuing to age in institutions. Families are welcome to specify in the adoption application letter their openness for a child as young as possible.

Most of the children come into care after being abandoned, relinquished or the death of their parents. The reasons for abandonment are numerous: poverty, unemployment, single parenthood, domestic violence, alcoholism, chronic illness, etc.

When reviewing your dossier, the Ministry of Justice will consider the type of child you request in light of the children they have available for matching when they review your dossier. Your adoption application will indicate your requested age range, gender, and health preference. The Ministry of Justice will then consider your family's age, specific child request, and children available and will try to match you as closely to your request as possible. The Regional Court has final authority to grant an adoption.

Our partner agency in Bulgaria, Vesta has informed us a priority for the Ministry of Justice is to find homes for children who are over the age of 5 years and who may have minor and correctible medical conditions. The wait for a referral of a child to families open to a child over the age of 5 years and, or a child with some minor, correctible medical conditions will be significantly less, as those are the children most in need of homes. The more open the family is to this profile of child, the greater the potential for an expedited referral.

Prior to the first trip, an adoptive family will receive information about a child's gender, date of birth, developmental history, medical condition and a photo. The family can also ask questions and Vesta can attempt to obtain answers once the family is matched with a child. During the trip, all of a child's information will be disclosed to the family, which includes: medical, social, and legal information. The adoptive family is allowed to take photos and videos of the child during the visitations.

Little children 0-3 years old live in baby orphanages.
Older children 3-7 years old live in preschool orphanages.
Children 7-18 years old live in orphanages for school age children

Children usually receive regular check-ups and vaccinations as needed. Acute care is provided at area hospitals.

Yes, two trips are required to Bulgaria. The first trip is up to 7 days. The first trip generally takes place early in the process for adoptive applicants to meet their child, meet orphanage staff, the officials, our partner agency, and to sign papers for legal initiation of their case.

The second trip is scheduled in 3-5 months from your first trip, and may last 7-9 days. Families are fully supported by our partner agency staff throughout their entire stay on both trips.

Although it is usually acceptable for just one parent to travel on either trip, Holt highly recommends both parents make the first trip. This will ensure the child becomes a citizen upon entry to the U.S. rather than after the child’s adoption is re-finalized according to the laws of the adoptive family’s state of residence. The child will become a citizen automatically upon U.S. entry only if both parents have seen the child in person prior to the adoption becoming final in Bulgaria.

Holt provides travel planning and support. Holt can recommend a travel agency who is experienced with adoption travel and understands the unique needs of adoptive parents. Our staff also facilitates arrangements overseas, including: transportation, hotel recommendations, reservations, setting appointments with child care agencies, and advice on related preparations for the trip. You are responsible for the round-trip tickets from your hometown to the region in Bulgaria where you child resides. You will also need to buy a one-way ticket for your child to travel from the region of child's residence to your home.

Sibling groups are available for intercountry adoption. Holt does not support placing unrelated children at the same time.

Families receive a Bulgaria Program Adoption Guidebook after their formal application has been submitted. Our Instruction walks families through each step of the adoption process. Holt staff is available by phone or e-mail for consultation and advice to help you complete your application and dossier properly, discuss travel, advise you about your referral, and explain post-placement requirements.