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Since 1991, AGCI has been honored to unite over 400 Bulgarian children with their forever families. We have also worked to make a difference in the lives of the children who were forced to live out their lives in Bulgaria's many orphanages. We have seen governments rise and fall over these years. Despite the uncertainty that accompanied those many changes, we were committed to continue our work. All God's Children is so blessed to be partnering with VESTA, a non-profit, non-governmental organization for welfare activities. The organization's team consists of lawyers, translators, psychologists, pedagogues and pediatricians. AGCI is thrilled to reach out once again to embrace the estimated 10,000 Bulgarian orphans in need of a family. Children AvailableChildren from 12 months to 14 years of age are available for adoption. Children will be at least 18 months old when they join their new families. Many sibling groups, older, and special needs children are currently waiting for adoptive families. Adoptions for these children are expedited under the Bulgarian law. Please call our office at 800-214-6719 to inquire about our waiting child program or e-mail waitingchildren@allgodschildren.org. Care In-CountryChildren in Bulgaria are cared for in the welfare institutes located throughout the country. Care ratios range on average from one caregiver to every seven to 10 children. Due to living in an institution, some children may have developmental delays. Time FrameThe approximate time frame from application through finalization of the adoption is 20 to 28 months. The time frame from application through finalization of the adoption of a waiting child is nine to 12 months. To view the faces of Bulgarian adoptions, click here. Get started on your adoption journey: request an adoption information packet. You'll also receive a free copy of The Strength of Mercy, a book about how AGCI began.
Ready to find your adoptive country? Each country has different adoption criteria. Fill out an adoption pre-application to help AGCI match you to the right adoption program.
.  Below is an overview of a Bulgarian adoption process from the time AGCI receives your completed dossier and home study. Dossier Translation and AuthenticationAGCI will forward your dossier to the Foreign Service Provider (FSP) who will translate, authenticate, and legalize the dossier. Once processed, FSP will submit the dossier to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Ministry of Justice ReviewThe MOJ will review and approve the dossier. Once approved, you will be officially logged into the "Applicant's Register" within 30 days. The Adoption Council members meet weekly to review applicants and available children for adoption. This council is responsible for matching children with approved (logged in) adoptive parents. The council takes into account the approved referral parameters issued in the home study. The MOJ updates their Web site monthly with the number of referrals issued and children approved for adoption. Once you are officially logged into the applicant's register, you can also track your file at: www.justice.government.bg/new/Pages/Adoptions/Default.aspx. Click here to view a translation of the Adoption Council postings. **Waiting Child ProgramWait times for referral are expedited for families open to adopting a child over 7 years, a sibling group, or a child with special needs. Please contact our waiting child program for further details. Referral ReviewAGCI sends you all information issued on the referred child. This information typically includes a general medical evaluation, psychological evaluation, social history, and a photo of the child. First Trip TravelYou should be ready to travel on the first trip within one month of accepting a referral. Plan to spend five days during this trip bonding with the referred child. During this visit, you will sign referral documents, which initiates the adoption process. Adoption FinalizationThe referral documents are submitted to the MOJ for approval by the Adoption Council. Once approved, the MOJ forwards their final opinion to the Sofia City Court and a court appointment is scheduled. It is at this court appointment that the adoption is finalized under Bulgarian law. Once the court decree and new birth certificate are issued, you can travel. Second Trip TravelYou should be ready to travel within two to four months of the first trip. The second trip is seven to 10 days, during which time you will receive the child's passport and the immigration documents from the US Embassy. Only one parent is required to travel on the second trip and a representative from FSP will accompany you throughout your entire stay in Bulgaria. Post-Adoption ReportsIn Bulgaria, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months after the placement anniversary date.
To request a complete list of AGCI requirements, please email info@allgodschildren.org.  Bulgaria was founded in the late seventh century and is a center of ancient civilizations. Remnants of historical cultures and the ruins of cities, palaces and monasteries are strewn throughout the country. Centuries of Turkish control and military conflicts as well as decades of Communist Party rule and assorted political chaos took their toll on the country. But today Bulgaria is adjusting to democracy, which took root in the early 1990s. More information about Bulgaria Flag:
Orphan StatisticsAn estimated 10,000 children are living within government orphanages. Adoption TrendImmigrant visas issued to US citizens:
After 2004 Bulgarian adoptions fell off of the department of state site due to change in adoption law. Government:Parliamentary democracy Population:7,917,855 Life Expectancy:72.57 years Religion:Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Roman Catholic 0.6%, Protestant 0.5%, other, 4.1% (2001 cencus) Language:Bulgarian is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group. As of 2007, there are more than 12 million people around the world who speak Bulgarian fluently. Currency:Official Bulgarian currency is the Lev (BGL), however with Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, the Euro is beginning to take over. Photos of the Country:http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Bulgaria/Photos  Pompeo FamilyMy husband and I had gone through many years of infertility and then two failed domestic adoptions. One really great friend kept talking gently to me about international adoption, but I would always shut her out. I was nervous and thought it would be way too complicated. Little did I know that God was using my friend to soften my heart to going across the ocean to Bulgaria! Read More Kolpek FamilyI call our Bulgarian adoption journey "extreme expecting" because it required patience and trust in their most extreme form. As a parent, I had no control. Nothing was up to me anymore, yet this adoption of my little boy was a choice I had made and it was the most incredible, most important thing my husband and I would ever do. Read More Harper FamilyTen years have passed since my wife and I lost our son Daniel to still birth. We now have two Bulgarian children: Jonathan, who is now 9 and Asya, who is now 5. The Lord used our loss in 1998 to lead us to a deeper relationship with Him, to two wonderful children, and to a love for orphans which has become mission work in Bulgaria for us. Read More Austin, Age 8My name is Austin and I was born in Varna Bulgaria on in 1998. I went home to Canada with my forever family on March 26, 2000. I want to share with you what it means to me to have been blessed to be adopted. When I lived in the orphanage... Read More Bojendara, Age 14I was an orphan in Stara Zagora. I was seven when I was adopted and now I am fourteen. I think that one the most important advantages of being adopted is... Read More  Danitza, Age 13I was adopted from an orphanage, in Stara Zagora, when I was 5 years old. I never really knew what adoption was until I asked my (adoptive) parents. It has meant a lot to me ever since I heard that I was lucky to be one of the children that were picked to be adopted and that some children do not have anyone to adopt them. Ever since, my family and I have been praying that children from Bulgaria could be adopted. Read More Levi, Age 12I was adopted when I was five years old and I am so glad to have my family. I have a blessing from God with having a mom and dad and brothers and sisters that love me. I enjoy telling others that I was born in Bulgaria and where it is. I have been involved in choir and sang a solo. I appreciate that I learned how to sing at Ovcharovo. I play the piano and will move to the violin next. I plan to play many instruments someday. I hope to be a chiropractor or veterinarian or both. Thank you for having a heart for orphans. Michael, Age 15My name is Michael and I am 15 years old. I was born in Bulgaria in 1993. I was adopted on September 15, 1994. At the time of my adoption, I became the 5th child in my family. We are now a family of 14! I was born without a fibula bone and with a deformed tibia bone in my left leg. My left foot was also missing bones. Today I have an active life, playing sports and... Read More |
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ADOPTION PROGRAMS
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