Factsheet, Page 2
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RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements to complete an international adoption in Bulgaria. However, prospective adoptive parents are expected to spend 5 days with their adoptive child before the orphanage director will release the child.
TIME FRAME: It normally takes at least several months to complete an intercountry adoption in Bulgaria; however, some adoptions have taken over a year to complete.
ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS: Prospective adoptive parents must use a Bulgarian licensed U.S. adoption agency or a Bulgarian adoption agency accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing license applications for several U.S. based adoption agencies. For a complete list of adoption agencies accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, please visit our web site at http://www.usembassy.bg/consular/adoptagency.html.
Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.
Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site travel.state.gov.
ADOPTION FEES IN BULGARIA: The U.S. Embassy in Sofia is aware of the following Bulgarian fees for adoption. These fees are subject to change. All fees are given in euros as the Bulgarian currency is linked to the Euro.
- Application fee at the MOJ: 100.00 Euro
- Court fee: 750.00 Euro
- Transcript of the Court Decree: 25.00 Euro
- Passport fee for child under 14: 7.00 Euro
- Passport fee for child over 14: 14.00 Euro
- Birth Certificate fee: 3.00 Euro
U.S. adoption agencies may charge additional fees to those listed above for services they provide.
Credits: U.S. Department of State
