Information on the basic stages of the adoption procedure according to the Bulgarian law

The procedure of the intercountry adoption of a child who is a Bulgarian citizen passes through the following stages:

A. Procedure of registration

Procedure of registration of the prospective adoptive parents in the special Register for Adoptive Parents Habitually Residing Abroad and Applying to Adopt a Child Habitually Residing in the Republic of Bulgaria in Terms of Full Adoption as kept by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria.

B. Procedure of evaluation

Procedure of evaluation of the candidates as suitable and eligible adoptive parents for a specific child.

C. Procedure of informing

Procedure of informing the prospective adoptive parents with the available data about the health and social status of the selected child, including a meeting with the child at the institution, family type center or foster family where he/she is placed.

D. Procedure of expression

Procedure of expression of consent or dissent with the adoption of the specific child.

E. Procedure of obtaining the approval

Procedure of obtaining the approval of the Minister of Justice to proceed further with the adoption procedure in its phase at court.

F. Court phase

Court phase of the adoption procedure.

G. Obtaining a new birth certificate

Obtaining a new birth certificate for the adopted child, where the new name of the child is entered and the adoptive parents are entered as his/her parents.

H. Issuing

Issuing of an international passport.

I. Procedure of obtaining a visa

Procedure of obtaining a visa from the Consular Service at the American Embassy in Sofia.

Timelines for the procedure for intercountry adoption of a minor child habitually resident in the Republic of Bulgaria

From the moment a child is referred to the prospective adoptive parents and they accept the referral and until a court’s decree which has come into force is obtained, the procedure practically takes about 4 (four) months (this period may be shorter or longer as the case may be).

The period from filing the documents with the Ministry of Justice through the Association until determining a child, the prospective adoptive parents are suitable for depends on:

  • The information about the prospective adoptive parents;
  • The extent to which they can provide good care for a child; whether they apply for a healthy child or could adopt a child with health problems, or if they apply for a special needs child;
  • The age of the child they have applied for.

This is determined by the Intercountry Adoptions Council for each particular case.