Adopting a Bulgarian Child
June 10, 2022 – Welcome Home!
Congrats to our adoptive family, Daniel and Alexandra, for flying home today with their son! No adoption process is ever “easy”, but each one is worth it at the end. It is the middle part that you need perserverence and patience for! Now let us share some happy photos and videos celebrating their adoption journey from Bulgaria!
36 Months From Start to Finish
As we all know 2020 shocked all of us and caused several delays on multiple levels. The family being in NY didn’t really help. Their path wasn’t always easy, but they leaned on their faith and they pushed through. Now, it is all worth it!
A traditional Bulgarian adoption for a 7 year old, in the middle of Covid, in under 3 years, is something to be grateful for!
Check out their timeline below.
This Family’s Bulgarian Adoption Timeline
| Finish Home Study | 11 Months | June 2020 |
| Get CIS Approval | 4 Months Later | August 2020 (Possible Covid Delays) |
| Dossier Submitted to Bulgaria | 6 Months Later | February 2021 (Possible Covid Delays) |
| Official Match Received | 7 Months Later | September 2021 |
| First Trip (Skype) | 2 Months Later | October 2021 |
| Pick Up Trip | 7 Months Later | May 2022 |
| Total | 36 Months | |
See Other Parents' Timelines
We have a few other families who are happy to share their stories and their timelines. To see how long it took them to adopt, please see:
Adopting From Bulgaria Post Covid
We loved serving this family and watching them hold fast to their faith during the uncertainties related to Covid in the middle of their process.
It was also a pleasure to work with their home study agency, Hillside who managed to carry out the necessary home study visits when NY was on lock down during Covid. Thank you for a job well done!
We are also grateful to the Bulgarian Central Authority and US Embassy in Sofia who allowed Zoom visits for the first trip.
One very positive thing was that the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice took only 7 months to propose a referral which the family accepted! Thank you MoJ!
Daniel and Alexandra’s Steps
Step 1 – June, 2019 – Contract
In June of 2019, the family signed our agency’s contract for a traditional adoption through Bulgaria. This initiated their process and we set out to help them meet eligibility requirements and the home study for a Bulgarian adoption.
Step 2 – August 2020 – CIS Approval
Along with their home study, they turned in their I800-A Application to CIS who, as a result, issued their CIS approval. This approval is a key document needed for your approval in Bulgaria.
Though the family was done with their home study by June of 2020, they did not receive their CIS approval until August as 2020 wasn’t the most regular year.
Step 3 – Feb 2021 – Dossier to BG
6 months later, the family’s entire dossier including their CIS Approval and approved home study (or home study for expats) was sent to Bulgaria to be translated and submitted with the Bulgarian Central Authority (CA).
Step 4 – September 2021 – Referral
One of the most awesome things about this adoption is that the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice offered a referral to the family in only 7 months. The family accepted! They agreed to proceed with the next steps of the adoption!
Step 5 – October 2021 – Zoom with Child
During Covid, the Bulgarian authorities, with the approval of the US Embassy, allowed for parents to make first contact with their children through Skype. These initial contacts are carried out much like as if they were in person, with there being an official representative of the orphanage during the calls. Often times the child’s caregiver, or a social worker, or a child psychologist will be in attendance. In attendance also are our partner’s representatives who are there to translate and help facilitate the process.
In this case, the family’s Skype date was given very quickly, only about 2 weeks after they said “yes” to their child.
Step 6 – Nov, 2021 – Home Study Update
Along with their home study, they turned in their I800-A Application t who, as a result, issued their When you receive your CIS approval., it is good for 15 months. In order to finalize your adoption, you need to have a valid CIS approval. As such, the family needed to update their CIS approval in between trips, or in their case, after their Skype Trip. CIS issued an updated approval and the family were able to go on their second trip to pick up their son.
This step isn’t necessarily applicable to all adoptions. It is dependent upon the family’s timeline. Here is more info if you’d like to understand what is required for a Home Study Update.
Step 7 – June, 2022 – Pick Up Trip
The last step in the process is going to Bulgaria to pick up your child. At this time, the adoptive parents are legal guardians already. As such, when they go to the orphanage, they leave it with their child!
Watching our families walk out of the orphanage with their kids is our favorite thing in the world!
Post Adoption Pictures
Bulgaria requires 5 post adoption reports. First one is when you first come back, at 2 weeks. Then it is at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. These reports are typically done by the same social worker who helped you through the home study and advised you while you were first bonding with your child. The social worker is considered a life long help and these visits can be used to get good advice on family and child specific things. The reports are also sent to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice. We love sharing pictures of our families who are back home. To Christ the glory for how well this family is doing. Enjoy the pictures!
Sofia Travel Guide
Alexandra, the adoptive mom specifically emailed us and said she wanted to share this travel guide for Sofia that she found helpful. Very sweet of her! Thanks Alex!
See Our Families’ Adoptions
Christian and Sandra's Story
Finished adoption in 27 months.
Monica and Manny's Story
Finished adoption in 25 months
Jeremy and Jessica's Story
Finished adoption in 20 months
Stacy and Sam's Story
Finished adoption in 18.5 months
Lori's Story
Finished adoption in 18 Months
Ana' Story
Finished adoption in 20 months.
Paul and April's Story
Finished adoption in 28 months
Mike and Megan's Story
Finished adoption in 28 months
Understanding The Cost
With our agency, which we believe is unique, the cost of the adoption becomes due on your own timetable, not ours. We call this a “floating fee structure”.
We also offer 37 month financing which lets you make a fixed monthly payment for 37 months. Some of our parents love this option because it lets them spend less money before they can qualify for grants.
Getting the adoption tax credit also helps parents with the cost of international adoption.
Learn More About Orphanages in Bulgaria
See Lori’s Interview from 2017.
Continue Your Adoption Research
We are humbled to have over 21 years of experience with Bulgarian and Polish international adoption. Let our experience enrich your research. The answers to these questions about the process are written through experience and know how. Sometimes the answers may surprise you for the better. Text us or call us with any questions. 704 527 7673.
Learn More About Home Study Process
When Should I Start The Home Study?
Difference Between Home Study and Adoption Agency?
Why Do I Need an Accredited Agency?
