COUNTRIES WE SERVE
Adopting from Bulgaria
Hand in Hand International Adoptions
Hand in Hand International Adoptions has operated its Bulgaria program since 2014. Bulgaria is a Hague Convention country with a transparent, government-regulated adoption process. The program is ideal for families open to children age three and older, children with mild to moderate special needs, or sibling groups. The process generally takes 12–36 months for children over three or with special needs. Two trips to Bulgaria are required. Hand in Hand partners with two accredited Bulgarian nonprofit organizations and guides families through every step.
- Hague Accredited
- 10,000+ Families Served
OUR STORY
Program Introduction
Hand in Hand’s Bulgaria program was established in 2014. Bulgaria is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and maintains a highly transparent process — the Bulgarian government requires prospective adoptive parents to work with a Hague-accredited U.S. agency as well as a Bulgarian adoption agency accredited by the Ministry of Justice.
Hand in Hand partners with two nonprofit, licensed, and accredited Bulgarian adoption organizations. These organizations actively advocate for the rights and wellbeing of children in Bulgarian institutions and work alongside Hand in Hand to ensure every placement is ethical, transparent, and in the best interest of each child.
OUR STORY
Who Can Be Adopted?
Children ages 1–15, with the majority being three years old and older
Male and female children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds: Bulgarian, Turkish, and Roma
Children with mild to moderate special needs
Sibling groups
The wait for a referral of a young healthy child is currently very long — families open to children over three or with special needs have significantly shorter timelines
Who Can Adopt?
At least one parent must be a minimum of 15 years older than the child to be adopted
Married or single applicants are accepted; there is no requirement regarding length of marriage
Applicants may not have a criminal record, a history of deprivation of parental rights, or a history of sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, or chronic infectious disease
Process
Travel Requirements
Both adoptive parents must travel to Bulgaria for two trips. The first trip (approximately 7 days) is about 1-2 months after you receive the official referral and the purpose is to meet your child for the first time. The second trip (approximately 7 days) takes place 4-5 months after the first trip, about 2 months after the adoption is finalized in Bulgarian court. Your child receives a U.S. visa and becomes a U.S. citizen upon arrival home.
Timeframe
Generally 12–36 months from the time the family is registered to the time of match for children over three with special needs. The wait for a younger and/or healthy child is currently a 3-5 year wait.
Financial
What Does It Cost?
Fees for the Bulgaria program vary based on your state of residence. International adoptions through Hand in Hand generally range from $17,000 to $40,000 including agency fees, in-country costs, and travel. Hand in Hand uses a staggered billing system and an Adoption Finance Coach is available to help you explore grants and tax credits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bulgaria
Why is the wait shorter for children over three in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian adoption law prioritizes domestic placement first. Younger healthy children are more frequently adopted within Bulgaria. Children who are older, part of a sibling group, or have special needs are more often available for international adoption and have shorter wait times for international families.
What does mild to moderate special needs mean in the Bulgarian program?
Special needs in the Bulgarian context can include developmental delays, correctable medical conditions, past trauma or institutionalization effects, behavioral or emotional needs, and some physical diagnoses. Hand in Hand provides a full medical file on any referred child, and families are encouraged to have an adoption-competent physician review it before accepting a referral.
Who are Hand in Hand's Bulgarian partner organizations?
What ethnic backgrounds do Bulgarian children come from?
Children in the Bulgaria program come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Bulgarian, Turkish, and Roma heritage. Hand in Hand provides pre-adoption training on transracial and transcultural parenting to help families prepare.
Can a single parent adopt from Bulgaria?
Yes. Bulgaria accepts both married and single applicants. There is no requirement regarding length of marriage for married applicants.
Why are two trips required to Bulgaria?
Both trips are approximately 7 days each.
Is Bulgaria part of the Hague Convention?
Yes. Bulgaria is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. This means the process is regulated, transparent, and designed to protect the rights of children, birth families, and adoptive families.
What training is required before adopting from Bulgaria?
Hand in Hand provides required adoptive parent training in addition to the home study training. Training covers attachment and bonding, transracial and transcultural adoption, medical considerations, core issues in adoption, and after the match, child-specific training. Families will complete training through their local home study agency as well.
[### Family story — approx. 150–250 words. First-person preferred. ###]
— The Sevillena Family
Countries We Serve
We partner with select international programs focused on ethical adoption and child-centered care.
Adopt from Brazil
The #1 U.S. program in Brazil — specializing in siblings, older children, and families ready to keep brothers and sisters together.
Adopt from Haiti
A program with deep roots — Hand in Hand has guided Haitian adoptions since 1990, including relative adoptions.
Adopt from Hong Kong
Our newest program focuses on children with special placement needs. Finalization happens in the U.S. after you return home.
Adopt from Hungary
Hand in Hand’s newest country program. Contact us to learn about current openings and requirements.
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